Review: Angostura Cocoa Bitters
Although Angostura makes a line of orange bitters, it’s best known for its iconic, eponymous aromatic bitters, a paper-wrapped bottle which no bar should be without. Now the Angostura bitters line expands to a whopping 3 expressions, with the launch of Angostura Cocoa Bitters.
These bitters are made with Trinitario cocoa which is grown on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago where Angostura makes all its bitters. The cocoa is combined with a “bespoke blend of herbs, spices, and botanicals” to create the finished product.
And it’s quite a delight, deftly balancing the pungent bitterness — slightly pruny, slightly winey — of Angostura’s aromatic bitters with a slick of cocoa on top. It has that distinct note not of chocolate sauce or chocolate candy but rather cocoa powder. As the cocoa fades, those wine-heavy notes come more into focus, with a significant raisin character and some vanilla lingering on the conclusion. Versatile and expressive, this is a solid and balanced product that can sub in for aromatic bitters any time you want to give your cocktail a chocolaty kick. Pick some up.
96 proof.
A / $9 per 4 oz bottle / angosturabitters.com
I am curious how this would influence a white russian.
I like white russians, but they can be a bit sweet for my palate ar times and traditional bitters do not go well with them, but cocoa bitters seem like they would.