The Bitter Truth

The Bitter Truth
Type Bitters
Liqueur
Flavored spirits
Manufacturer The Bitter Truth
Country of origin Germany
Introduced 2006
Alcohol by volume 18%-44%
Proof (US) 36-88
Website the-bitter-truth.com
Jerry Thomas Bitters bottle

The Bitter Truth is a German brand of concentrated cocktail bitters, liqueurs and flavored spirits, introduced in 2006.

History

The Bitter Truth was founded in Germany in 2006 by Munich-based bartenders Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck.[1][2][3] Berg and Hauck had prior experience creating bitters for their respective bars because of the difficulty they faced sourcing bitters in Germany.[1][4] In founding the company, Berg and Hauck wanted to bring back long-defunct flavors of cocktail bitters.[5]

In August 2006, The Bitter Truth was introduced with two flavors, Orange Bitters and Old Time Aromatic Bitters.[4][6] The company's bitters are made with a blend of herbs, citrus peels and other aromatics, and soaked in alcohol.[7] The Bitter Truth bitters are registered as a spirit, unlike most bitters, which are typically classified as a flavoring.[7]

The company produces full-size 200 milliliter bottles of bitters, as well as the Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set of five 20 milliliter bottles, which was introduced in 2010 and includes their Celery, Old Time Aromatic, Orange, Creole and Jerry Thomas bitters.[8] The New Orleans-style Creole Bitters, combining flavors of anise, fennel and caraway, was released in the US in 2010.[9] With notes of angostura bark, cloves, ginger, orange, cinnamon, tangerine and almonds, the Jerry Thomas Bitters are named after 19th-century American bartender Jerry Thomas, and based on one of his recipes.[1][10][11][12] The Jerry Thomas Bitters won a Gold Medal and was voted Best in Class at the 2010 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, while the Celery Bitters and Creole Bitters won Silver Medals at the same competition.[13] The Celery Bitters was named Best Spirit of the Year at the 2008 Mixology Bar Awards in Germany,[13] and Best New Product at the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail.[9][14] In 2010, The Bitter Truth expanded its offerings to include liqueurs and flavored spirits.[4]

The Bitter Truth Dried Fruit bitters were one of three key ingredients in Diamonds are Forever, which was until 2014 the world's most expensive cocktail, made at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.[15][16] In 2014, the company produced four flavors for Havana Club rum's Essence of Cuba, using Havana Club Añejo 7 años as its base. The four varieties are Aromatic Leaf, Coffee, Honey and Island Fruit.[5][17][18] Later in 2014, The Bitter Truth partnered with the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London to create the Savoy Martini Bitters, designed for gin- or vodka-based dry martinis.[19]

Varieties

Bitters

Flavored liqueurs

Gin

Special editions

References

  1. 1 2 3 Neil Ridley, “The Bitter Truth,” Imbibe Magazine, September/October 2010.
  2. ↑ Derek Brown, “A Bartender’s Guide to Bitters: 5 Leading Brands,” The Atlantic, April 20, 2010.
  3. ↑ Christopher Hirst, “Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails,” The Independent, May 16, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 “Have Bitters, Will Travel: The Bitter Truth Traveler’s Set,” Thirsty In LA, July 22, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Francois Monti, “Essence of Cuba,” Havana Club, October 22, 2014.
  6. ↑ “GSN Review: The Bitter Truth Bitters & Flower Waters,” Good Spirit News, October 23, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Florence Fabricant, “Bitters From Germany, to Kick Up Your Cocktails,” New York Times, January 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ “Review – The Bitter Truth Bitters,” The Cocktail Geek. Accessed February 22, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Todd A. Price, “Bitter Truth brings its Creole Bitters to the U.S.,” The Times-Picayune, July 31, 2010.
  10. ↑ Jack Bettridge, “A Taste for Bitters,” Cigar Aficionado, November/December 2014.
  11. ↑ T. Ballard Lesemann, “Bitters broaden the possibilities for mixologists,” Charleston City Paper, October 5, 2011.
  12. ↑ Chris Chamberlain, “Take Your Bitters Traveling With The Bitter Truth,” Nashville Scene, April 10, 2013.
  13. 1 2 “The Bitter Truth,” Drinks Enthusiast, April 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ Andrew Strenio, “That’s The Spirit: Bitter Truth E**X**R Krauter Liqueur,” Serious Eats, April 29, 2011.
  15. ↑ Alba D’Souza, “5 most expensive cocktails in Dubai,” GQ India, February 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ Tamara Hinson, “12 of the world’s most unusual cocktails,” CNN, August 22, 2013.
  17. ↑ Amy Hopkins, “Havana Club Rum Launches Cocktail Flavourings,” The Spirits Business, October 8, 2014.
  18. ↑ Holly Motion, “Havana Club launches Essence of Cuba,” Drinks International, October 6, 2014.
  19. ↑ “Bespoke bitters,” Imbibe, July 29, 2014.
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