The Best Orange Bitters Roundup – Regans’, Fee Brothers, The Bitter Truth, & Angostura (2025 Update)
After aromatic bitters, orange bitters are easily the most commonly called-for bittering agents in cocktails today. There’s also a huge variety of bitters available on the market. Are they any different? Which is best? I put four big bitters brands to the test to see which was best.
Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6 – A 1990s recreation of Charles Baker’s orange bitters recipe, brought to you by Gary Regan and the Sazerac Company. Tangerine notes on the nose, with clear notes of cardamom and clove-like character on the back end, dollowed by a hint of chocolate. Orange aplenty, but with a bracing, Fernet-like bitterness that really lingers, walloping you on the finish. The best of all worlds, packing both ample, authentic fruit and a big, bitter punch. 45% abv. A / $16 per 5 oz. bottle [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters – Very low alcohol. Lighter in color, much sweeter, but more orange-focused than Regan’s, offering sweet tangerine notes up front that fade into cinnamon and clove notes. Quite a bit sweeter than other brands, with an almost candylike edge to them — but I like the way they impart a clear orange character (along with mild bitterness) to a cocktail. I like these in punches and other party drinks but don’t reach for them for typical cocktailing needs. 9% abv. B+ / $12 per 4 oz. bottle [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters – Interesting nose — light on orange and heavy on notes of coffee, roasted/smoked meat, ginger, and other savory elements. The body is a nice mix of citrus and more savory elements, but they aren’t overwhelmingly bitter. The smoky element is curious, but a bit at odds with the typical usage of orange bitters. 39% abv. B / $27 per 200ml bottle [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Angostura Orange Bitters – Very pale in color, with a bright mandarin/tangerine note immediately evident. Very sweet on the palate, with a candylike quality that isn’t easily shaken. They’re very similar to Fee Brothers’ offering, except there’s not really any bitterness evident here at all. For a drop of orange candy in your drink, these are fine, but nuance is very much lacking. 28% abv. B / $13 per 4 oz. bottle [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6
USD16
Would have liked to see Hella orange bitters included also. We use all and rotate with the various drinks and spirit used to try to get the best fit.
Yeah, Hella is good. Woodford Reserve is similar but smoother if you can find it.