The UK distributor for the cocktail bitters brand says such products are usually made by soaking ingredients in spirit for several weeks before bottling.
Angostura Bitters, for instance, are made in Port of Spain, Trinidad, by crushing herbs then infusing them in 97% alcohol to extract their flavour – brown sugar and caramel color is then added, then distilled water to create a 44.7% ABV product for bottling.
Bitter Bastards! – clearly the brand seeks to gain traction with a receptive Millennial cocktail audience – macerates botanicals in a base spirit for only a few minutes, with the spirit then clarified using a centrifuge.
The Bitter Bastards! range features 25 single-botanical bitters priced at £9.95 ($16.65) including Black Pepper Bitters (75% ABV for a 5cl bottle), Naga Chilli (49.5% ABV) and Sweet Orange (49.5% ABV).
“The machine applies a force equivalent to roughly 5,000g to the liquid, clarifying it beautifully while retaining the essential oils,” Maverick Drinks says, claiming that it leaves bitters with a vibrant, fresh flavor profile.
Use of a centrifuge cuts out the need for chemical fining agents or filtration for clarification.
The range will go on sale from May 15 at online spirits merchant Master of Malt and other retailers.