Founded by John G. Boker in 1828, Boker's Bitters gained popularity in New York & around the World as the finest bitters of the Golden Age of mixed drinks. Boker's Bitters were famously the preferred brand of Professor Jerry Thomas & featured throughout his book, ' How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant's Companion', now recognised as the World's first bartender's guide.
Despite being unequalled when used in the refined drinks of the bar, the devastating effect of The Volstead Act, commonly referred to as Prohibition, closed the Boker's company in the 1920s.
Referencing receipts dating back to 1853, these recreated bitters are compounded using the finest natural herbs & spices & are once again being used globally by bartenders in original libations & classics such as the Japanese Cocktail, Martinez, Manhattan, Crusta & enhanced Cocktail.
A note from Dr Adam Elmegirab
The growth of the internet has coincided with an increased want for information from bothbartenders & consumers alike. With the release of my Bitters Product Portfolio at thetail-end of 2010, which detailed the production process of my bitters as well as tasting notes, I have had numerous requests for more information on the botanicals I use to compound my bottlings.
Having thought long & hard about ways in which I could improve the product knowledge of my bitters I decided it would be a good idea to compile detailed information on all thebotanicals I use so you can understand a little more about ingredients you will have heardof but may never come into contact with, have a better grasp of where the flavour profile comes from, & also gain a deeper knowledge of each botanical's historical & medicinalrelevance.
This goes against the philosophy of many bitters producers who wish to remain assecretive as possible, which in my opinion detracts from the full potential of bitters andtheir vast array of uses in both the culinary & cocktail crafts. By releasing thisinformation I feel that bartenders & consumers will be better equipped to use mybottlings to their full potential...
Dried orange peel
Medicinal uses
- Whole orange peel contains compounds that lower blood pressure & possess asubtle bitterness that stimulates appetite. Rich in vitamin C it is also recommended in fighting coughsand colds as well as being used as an aromatic & flavour enhancer in medicine.
Taste
- Dominant orange & subtle woodiness with a perfumed backbone.
Quassia bark
Medicinal uses
- Quassia is a tonic used to treat malaria & fevers as well as being widely used tostimulate saliva, digestive juices & as a choleretic, bile in the liver.
Taste
- Intensely bitter & an astringent bark.
Green Cardamom
Medicinal uses
- Cardamom seeds are primarily used for indigestion & to treat stomach-aches & cramps.
Taste
- Strong & aromatic, subtle citrus, ginger, spice, wood & mint with herbal complexity.
Mallow flowers
Medicinal uses
- Infused mallow flowers are a popular remedy for coughs & colds.
Taste
- Edible flower with a sweet taste similar to marshmallow.