Fee Bros. Orange Bitters

Clear with a slight orange tinge. A touch viscous. Low key, but somewhat aromatic smell of oranges and whiffs of alkali bitterness.

Quick Facts

Origin: USA, New York
Unit Size: 4 oz.

The Flavor Experience

During Prohibition, Orange Bitters enjoyed its status as the best-known bitter in the world. As Prohibition ended, Orange bitters fell by the wayside as commercially produced Alcohol became more palatable. Fee Bros. stayed the course and has been producing their Orange bitters the same way for nearly a century. Skins from oranges grown in the West Indies are the primary flavor here. These bitters add the bitter sweetness of orange with just a touch of spice.

The Story

Fee Bros. got their start way back in 1835 when Irish immigrant, Owen Fee first set foot on American soil. By 1847, Owen had opened a butcher shop which would eventually grow into a saloon and delicatessen in 1863. In the century that followed, Owen's sons, the original Fee Brothers, and eventually Owen's grandsons, would continue to make, import, and distribute booze before finally dropping alcoholic beverages altogether in favor of flavorings and syrups for cocktails. The Skinny on Fee's Bitters: During Prohibition, many folks as well as speakeasies made homemade liquor. Though this homemade liquor delivered the desired medicinal effects, getting it past the teeth was entirely a chore. The Fees developed their bitters and cordial syrup to make homemade booze more palatable.

Usage Tips

For an orange explosion, add a few drops to a gin martini (because a vodka martini doesn't really exist now does it?).