Gallery: Add Bitters To Your Soda! 12 Combos We Love

By
Carey Jones
Carey Jones is the former managing editor and New York site editor for Serious Eats. She's the co-author of Be Your Own Bartender (2018) and author of Brooklyn Bartender (2016).
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Updated August 09, 2018
  • Coke and Angostura

    Coke and Angostura

    They mesh very well together, bringing out a lot of the warm spice notes that lurk somewhere in Coke but never quite come out.

    Cranberry, Ginger Ale, Orange

    Cranberry, Ginger Ale, and Orange

    Reminds me of a Thanksgiving table relish: lots of cranberry with a little orange and ginger. (I like more cranberry than orange in this one.)

    Dr Pepper and Chocolate

    Dr Pepper and Chocolate Bitters

    Sort of a Tootsie roll-esque, "chocolate" rather than chocolate effect going on here.

    Ginger Ale and Rhubarb

    Ginger Ale and Rhubarb Bitters

    Adds fruity and tart flavors to mellow ginger ale, making it less sweet. Probably our favorite pairing for rhubarb bitters.

    Orangina and Peychaud's

    Orangina and Peychaud's Bitters

    We tried orange soda and Peychaud's, too, but the less-sweet, actually-orangier Orangina worked much better.

    Sprite and Cranberry

    Sprite and Cranberry Bitters

    We thought that all of the fruit flavors had potential with Sprite, but the soda was just too sweet to carry off peach and plum. Cranberry, on the other hand, tart and bitter and so distinctively flavored, worked perfectly. Also: cranberry ginger ale.

    Coke and Black Walnut

    Coke and Black Walnut Bitters

    "This smells like curry!" said Serious Eats NY editor Max on first whiff—no, really. There's robust spice going on here, cinnamon and clove and something more savory, but it dries out and spices up the Coke in a really appealing way.

    Roasted Macadamia Bitters and Creme Soda

    Roasted Macadamia Bitters and Creme Soda

    Smells like a white chocolate – macadamia nut cookie; tastes like things that are baking, cookie dough a few minutes into the oven. Also tasty with a splash of cranberry bitters.

    Coke and Mole Bitters

    Coke and Mole Bitters

    You know how some people use Coca-Cola to braise carnitas or ribs? Imagine cayenne along with rich flavors of cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa and you'll start to see why this bizarrely savory, but very drinkable combination works.

    Root Beer and Angostura

    Root Beer and Angostura Bitters

    In its own weird way tastes like boozy eggnog, a little bourbon-sweet and nutmeggy. Covers some of root beer's medicinal characteristics while amping up the warm spice.

    Root Beer and Peychaud's

    Root Beer and Peychaud's Bitters

    Sort of like a super root beer—less medicinal and a whole lot brighter than without the Peychaud's.

    Orange and Creme Soda

    Orange Bitters and Creme Soda

    One word: Creamsicle.

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