Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters 5oz is a glycerin-based fruit bitters produced in Rochester, New York, delivering concentrated cherry flavor at 4.8% ABV. Unlike most bitters built on a neutral spirit base, Fee Brothers uses vegetable glycerin as its foundation — a production method dating back to the Prohibition era, when the family reformulated its recipes to stay in business legally. The result is a slightly viscous, nearly clear liquid that brings tart, candy-like cherry character to cocktails and culinary applications alike.Tasting Notes:Aroma: The nose opens with almond candy sweetness, followed by ripe sour cherry reminiscent of hand-picked Bing or Rainier cherries rather than processed maraschino fruit. A subtle floral note and faint acrid bitterness round out the bouquet.Taste: On entry, the palate registers bright cherry syrup, almost like a sour gummy candy. Mid-palate introduces a pleasant tartness that balances the initial sweetness, then builds toward a distinct almond-cherry bitterness at the peak. The glycerin base gives the liquid a slightly oily, smooth texture that coats the tongue evenly.Finish: The finish is moderate in length, with lingering sour cherry and a dry, bitter close that keeps sweetness from becoming cloying. A trace of almond stays behind, adding subtle complexity.How to Drink Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters:A few dashes transform a standard cocktail into something fruit-forward and layered. Add two to three dashes to a Cherry Old Fashioned alongside bourbon and a sugar cube — the bitters amplify the cherry element without adding excess sweetness. In a Manhattan, they complement sweet vermouth with tart fruit depth that rye whiskey alone cannot provide. They also work beautifully in a Cherry Whiskey Sour, where the bitters sharpen the citrus and stone-fruit balance, or stirred into a Tom Collins for an unexpected cherry twist on the gin classic.Best For: Home bartenders building out a comprehensive bitters collection Adding fruit-forward complexity to whiskey-based cocktails Elevating brunch drinks like sparkling lemonade or champagne cocktails Culinary use in dessert sauces, whipped cream, or cherry-based glazes Frequently Asked Questions:What does Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters taste like? It tastes like concentrated tart cherry with an almond candy undertone and a pleasantly sour, bitter finish — similar to a sour gummy lifesaver but with genuine fruit depth.How does Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters compare to Angostura Aromatic Bitters? Angostura is a warm, spice-driven aromatic bitters built on gentian root and clove, while Fee Brothers Cherry is a single-fruit bitters focused entirely on tart cherry and almond notes. The glycerin base in Fee Brothers also gives it a smoother, slightly sweeter mouthfeel compared to the high-proof, spirit-based Angostura.Is Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters good for beginners? Absolutely — the approachable cherry flavor and low bitterness threshold make it one of the easiest bitters to experiment with, especially for anyone new to building cocktails at home.Where is Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters made? Fee Brothers produces all of its bitters in Rochester, New York, where the company has been operating since 1864. The family-owned business spans four generations of bitters and mixer production.What foods pair well with Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters? A few dashes complement dark chocolate desserts, vanilla ice cream, pork tenderloin with cherry reduction, sharp aged cheddar, and baked brie with fruit compote.Why Buy Fee Brothers?Fee Brothers has been producing cocktail bitters and mixers in Rochester, New York since 1864, making it one of the oldest family-owned bitters manufacturers in the United States. Now in its fourth generation, the company maintained continuous production through Prohibition by switching to a glycerin base — a method it still uses today. Fee Brothers offers one of the widest bitters portfolios on the market, with flavors spanning from classic aromatic to specialized fruit and botanical varieties. The Cherry Bitters remains a staple behind professional and home bars as one of the few dedicated cherry bitters widely available in the American market.
