Fee Brothers Cardamon Bitters

Fee Brothers, a family-owned business since 1864 in Rochester, New York, is renowned for its extensive line of cocktail bitters, syrups, and mixes. Their Cardamom Bitters, a Boker's style bitter, harks back to pre-Prohibition recipes and is considered an essential ingredient for many vintage cocktails. Interestingly, this particular offering was originally created for the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail event as a limited edition but became a permanent fixture due to its popularity among mixologists. The cardamom itself is reportedly sourced from a family-owned farm in Guatemala. While Fee Brothers has a long history, surviving Prohibition by producing things like altar wine and non-alcoholic malt extracts, their now-iconic label design is a more recent development, dating back to 1995. The company, currently run by the fifth generation of the Fee family, is known for its wide range of flavors and has been a significant name in the cocktail world, especially during times when bitters options were scarce.

Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters offer a warm, aromatic, and slightly sweet spice, with distinct cardamom notes alongside hints of citrus and even a touch of root beer-like character. These craft spirits are particularly at home in cocktails featuring gin, whiskey, or rum, lending a unique complexity to both classic recipes and new creations for your home bar. Consider them for a Martinez or to add an intriguing layer to pre-Prohibition style drinks.

A burst of bright, freshly ground cardamom seed greets the senses, followed by a warm, slightly sweet spice on the tongue that lingers with a clean, aromatic finish.