Boker's Bitters

Boker's Bitters were the preferred brand of bitters, specified in nearly every cocktail that called for them in Jerry Thomas' book, 'How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant's Companion. Among the known ingredients were cassia, cardamom, and bitter orange peel.

History

John G. Boker created the bitters in 1828. It was used in cocktails until the turn of the century, when the double-whammy of Prohibition and 1906 U.S. Food and Drugs Act limiting medical claims caused Boker's and most other bitters producers to cease production.

Until 2009, no samples of the bitters were known to exist, and as the recipe had never been published, recreating it seemed unlikely. That year, a man showed up at the London Bar Show with a small remaining sample, which was then combined with extensive research (including interviewing descendants of John Boker), to recreate a facsimile of the bitters.

Cocktails with Boker’s Bitters

Absinthe Cocktail
Champagne Cocktail
East India Cocktail
Fancy Brandy Cocktail
Faivre's Pousse Cafe
Gin Cocktail
Improved Cocktail
Japanese Cocktail
Jersey Cocktail
Knickerbein
Manhattan Cocktail
Martinez
Old Tom Gin Cocktail
Saratoga Cocktail
Sherry Wine and Bitters
Soda Cocktail
St. Croix Crusta
Vermouth Cocktail
Whiskey Crusta
Whiskey Cocktail

References

External inks