Orange You Bitter?

You should be. Because orange bitters, that tangy-sweet-spicy-bitter (duh) cocktail ingredient from the soirée-soakin' days of yore, is back with a passion. And we're doing everything we can to get it out of the bottle and into our bellies.

For example: Drizzle some orange bitters over tapioca pudding and taste a whole new level of citrus-cinnamon brightness, with body to boot. Or shake your bitters over vanilla ice cream, add some chocolate sauce, and zing! Go the strings of your heart. You'll find depth where never was depth before.

Alternatively, you can mix it into a drink. And for an added twist, try blood orange bitters, which have layers of bitter inside layers of bitter. Choose one of our recipes for your inaugural journey into sweet bitter bliss.

1-2 ounces vodka
1 tablespoon Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon cherry preserves

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until mixed. Pour through a sieve over ice or serve straight up in a martini glass.

1-2 ounces gin
1 tablespoon Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 tablespoon pomegranate concentrate
4 mint leaves, torn into small pieces

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until mixed. Pour shaker contents into a glass and serve.

1-2 ounces vodka
2 tablespoon Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
candied lemon peel

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well mixed. Pour through a sieve into a chilled martini glass. Toss in a piece of candied lemon.

2 ounces gin
1 ounce Campari
2 tablespoons Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well mixed. Pour through a sieve into a chilled martini glass, or serve over ice.

Pucker up at Famous Foods.