Aromatic Orange Bitters

And so the theme continues...

I really like an aromatic bitters, like Angostura Aromatic, but I intended this bitters recipe to also have a slight orange aroma. I set about to basically combine, in my opinion, the best parts of an aromatic bitters and an orange bitters. Of course there is minimal colouring when you put this bitters into a drink, this is because it hasn't been loaded with colourings like a bought bitters would be. I'm going with calling this Aromatic Orange Bitters solely to irritate some mixologists and mixed drink connoisseurs. It should keep for up to a year.



Aromatic Orange Bitters
time 20 days+ - makes approx 500ml

1 organic orange, peel
1 organic lemon, peel
2t coriander seeds
2t caraway seeds
10 whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon
350ml vodka
150ml water

Remove peel from orange & lemon with a vegetable peeler,
be careful not to get any of the white pith.
Place all, except water, in a sterilised 700ml pickling jar.
Seal tightly.
Leave in a cool, dark place for 10 days -
Shake the jar every day.
After 10 days, Remove spices & peels.
Place them in a small pot.
Add water to pot.
Cook pot over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
Add to jar. Stir. Seal tightly.
Leave to infuse for at least 10 days -
Shake the jar every day.
(Leave for more than 10 days for a stronger flavour)
Strain. Discard solids.
Pour into sterilised bottle/s.

and now the drink...

Lemon, lime & bitters is an immensely popular drink in Australia, where it supposedly originates from. Apparently amongst Australian golfers it became a custom to have a refreshing lemon, lime & bitters after a round. There's also the equally popular soda, lime & bitters which is just using soda (sparkling) water instead of lemonade. Upon travelling outside of the great southern land I was surprised to have not encountered either of these drinks anywhere even though all the ingredients are readily available.

Lemon/Soda, Lime & Bitters
serves 1

20ml homemade bitters (5 dashes bought)
1/4 lime OR
15ml lime juice cordial
lemonade OR
soda (sparkling) water

Roll the bitters around a 300ml tall/highball glass,
making sure to get all over the inside.
(This means it will mix itself)
Gently squeeze in the lime juice, or pour in cordial.
Fill up with lemonade or soda (sparkling) water.
Garnish with the piece of lime.