Come September, there’ll be a new bitters in town. From legendary barman Dale DeGroff and chemist Ted Breaux comes Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters, a revival of a style of bitters that had all about disappeared by the latter 20th century. It’s produced at the venerable Combier distillery in Saumur, France, and is made with Pimento berries, a hint of anise and other Allspice berries. And, man, is it ever delicious. You can preorder a 150 ml bottle now at www.PimentoAromaticBitters.com for just $9.99. Special Collector’s Edition 250 ml Professional Bottles are available too for $18.82. Those are handsome antique bottles with dripper spouts signed in gold ink by the man himself. When your bitters arrive, get out the bar tools and whip up a few of these cocktails, recipes courtesy of Dale:
MORNING GLORY (Chicago style)
Stir well with lots of ice:
1 ounce (30ml) Martell VSOP Cognac]
1 ounce (30ml) Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
1 tsp rich simple syrup (two sugar to one water)
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
1 dash (1/4 teaspoon) absinthe
2 dashes Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
Strain into chilled cocktail glass, add a healthy splash of brut champagne and twist a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top.
After meeting renowned absinthe distiller,Ted Breaux in New Orleans, they embarked on a joint venture to produce Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters. A raconteur, storyteller, and saloon singer, DeGroff’s entertaining presentations are featured on the cruise lines as well as at spirits festivals around the country. Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters (45% ABV/ 90 proof, $9.99 per 150ml) is made from the pimento berry which is better known as allspice. Some may get confused with the name of these bitters and think that they are made from pimento, which is an entirely different thing from pimento berry. May 23, 2017 Dale DeGroff's Pimento Bitters. Photo by Phil Jimcosky / Mutineer Magazine.A pioneer of modern American mixology, “King Cocktail” Dale DeGroff is best known for his turn as head bartender at New.
MOJITO (Cuban style with bitters)
1 1/2 ounce (50ml) White Rum
3/4 ounce (22ml) Fresh Lime Juice
1 ounce (30ml) Simple Syrup (1p sugar to 1p water)
2 dashes Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
2 Sprigs of Mint (Use tender, young mint sprigs)
Dale Degroff Pimento Bitters Tree
Muddle one mint sprig with the simple syrup and the limejuice in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a highball glass over cracked ice, top with soda and garnish with a sprig of mint.
SINGAPORE SLING (Raffles Hotel, c1935)
1 1/2 ounce (50ml) Beefeater Gin
1/2 ounce (15ml) Lime Juice
2 ounce (60ml) Pineapple Juice
1 tsp Grenadine
1/2 ounce (15ml) Cherry Herring
1/4 ounce (8ml) Cointreau
1/4 ounce (8ml) Benedictine
1 dash Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
Dale Degroff Pimento Bitters Price
Shake with ice & strain into chimney glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a marinated Cherry. Serve with long straws.
Dale Degroff Book
THE FITZGERALD
Original recipe by Dale DeGroff
1 1/2 ounces Hendricks Gin
1 ounce Simple Syrup
3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Dashes DD’s Pimento Bitters
Dale Degroff Pimento Bitters
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.