Fee Brothers Mint Bitters

Fee Brothers Mint Bitters is a concentrated, alcohol-based flavoring made for dashing and dropping, not for pouring. A bottle like this is measured in drops, so a little goes a long way. Mint bitters in this style usually carry a clear peppermint or spearmint lift that reads cooler and sharper than fresh mint leaves. Expect a faint bitter backbone beneath the mint rather than a sweet, candied note. The brief gives no ABV, origin or tasting notes beyond the name, so those typical traits are what to expect from the category, not measured figures for this bottle. Bitters aren't sipped on their own. Their job is to add aromatic lift and a dry, herbal edge to a drink, and that makes mint bitters a natural fit for any recipe that already leans on mint. In a Mint Julep or a Mojito, two or three dashes reinforce the muddled leaf and keep the flavor steady as the ice melts. Fresh mint can be inconsistent from one bunch to the next. A dash of bitters keeps the minty character reliable even when the garnish is limp or the herb is mild. Beyond the classics, mint bitters work well as a modifier in drinks built on chocolate or coffee. Try a few drops in a Grasshopper, a white or brown crème de cacao cocktail, or an espresso martini, where the mint cuts the richness. A dash also suits a bourbon or rye Old Fashioned, which turns it into a cool-edged variation on the usual Angostura-and-orange build. Gin and tonic, vodka soda and other long drinks can take a drop or two as well. Start small, because the intensity of concentrated mint can build quickly in a glass. For serving, add the bitters directly to the shaker or mixing glass, or to the finished drink, and taste before adding more. One to three dashes is a sensible range for a single cocktail. Mint-forward drinks are usually served well chilled, over crushed or cracked ice, in a rocks glass or a julep cup. Shaken or stirred drinks that include the bitters can be strained into a chilled coupe. Hot chocolate and dessert preparations are another use, where a single dash can stand in for peppermint extract.