This Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipe is smooth, boozy, and flavorful. The aromatics of the black walnut bitters and the orange peel added to the strong liquors make this craft cocktail a sipper to be enjoyed by the fire or after a delicious meal.
I love to go to restaurants to see what's on the cocktail menu. After sampling, I go home and try to make my own version.
I recently had a drink at a local restaurant called Backyard Social made with black walnut bitters. I couldn't wait to go home and make similar Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipes! This is less expensive than always drinking at a bar not to mention fun!
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Why I Love This Recipe
This black walnut bitters cocktail recipe reminds me a little of a Negroni, which is one of my favorite classic cocktails. Although this cocktail is simple and only has three ingredients, it's full of flavor.
It's a little spicy and dark, so it's a perfect pairing with the black walnut bitters. Be careful, it's boozy, but so smooth and delicious that it's easy to drink quickly. It's great for sipping by the fire, entertaining friends, or ending your day after the kids go to bed.
Recipe FAQs
Bitters are made from aromatic botanicals, like herbs, roots, bark, and sometimes fruits or vegetables. They are infused into a flavorless alcohol base. This results in a very strong and potent liquid.
Bitters are like the seasoning of a cocktail. They bring out the other flavors in the drink or add additional flavor based on the type of bitter being used. Sometimes bitters even have medicinal qualities.
Cardamaro is not a cardamom-flavored amaro, which can be easily mistaken. It's a wine-based amaro based on the artichoke (cardoon and blessed thistle). It is very herbally and spicy, but also smooth, unlike some amaros. It's a great replacement where vermouth is used since it has a wine base.
Cardamaro can be hard to find. But, you can substitute Averna Amaro, Cynar, Amaro Nonino, Ramazotti, Ciociaro, or other amaro liqueurs and get a similar taste. If you do get your hands on a bottle of Cardamaro, treat it like gold, and enjoy every sip!
What Kind of Gin To Use For This Recipe
I made this with a bourbon barrel gin from Captive Spirits, but you could use an Old Tom gin as well. If you don't have a darker gin on hand, try your favorite gin and see how it turns out.
How to Make This Cocktail
Prepare a lowball glass with a large ice cube. Measure all ingredients into a cocktail mixing glass with ice. Stir in circles for about 15-20 seconds.
Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Slice off a piece of orange peel (with little to no pith), twist it over the glass to release some of the oils, and place it on top of the ice cube. Enjoy immediately. Cheers!
More Craft Cocktail Recipes to Try
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
Being a home bartender can be so much fun...if you have the right tools. You don't have to break the bank and you don't have to own EVERY tool you've ever seen at a bar. But, if you want good cocktails, you need the right tools. Check out my post on Home Bar Tool Essentials for a complete list.
For these cocktails, you will need a mixing glass and a bartender's spoon to stir the cocktails. You will also need a cocktail glass for sipping. And you will need an ice cube tray to make a cocktail cube.
Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- bartenders spoon (or a long spoon for stirring)
- lowball cocktail glass
- garnish peeler (vegetable peeler)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin (preferably barrel-aged or old tom)
- 1 ounce Cardamaro Amaro (or an Amaro herbal liquor)
- 3-4 dashes black walnut bitters
- orange peel garnish (for aromatics and style)
- large ice cube
Instructions
- Prepare a lowball glass with a large ice cube. Measure all ingredients into a cocktail mixing glass with ice. Stir in circles for about 15-20 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Slice off a piece of orange peel (with little to no pith), twist it over the glass to release some of the oils, and place it on top of the ice cube. Enjoy immediately. Cheers!
Notes
- Make sure you stir your cocktail long enough for it to be nice and cold. Once you think it's been long enough, stir it for a few more seconds to be sure!
- If you can't find Cardamaro, here are some other Amaro Liqueurs to try:
-
- Averna Amaro
- Cynar
- Amaro Nonino
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you make This Cocktail?
If you make this Black Walnut Bitters cocktail, take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me what's in your glass. Cheers!
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Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I discovered I enjoy a cocktail every now and then:)) And I have some Ramazzotti left in the rack; I'll ask my partner to use it soon:))
Emily says
Oh yes, a cocktail makes s special moment. Get your partner on it!😁
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady says
I never knew what bitters were until today. This is so intriguing to me. These cocktails sound fantastic!
Emily says
They make such a difference in a cocktail, it's quite amazing. Give them a try sometime.
Vanessa says
Wow! I never realized I could make my own bitters! This is a really intriguing idea, especially since I like walnut flavored things. I may have to start looking for the ingredients to try this.
Emily says
It's fun to experiment with bitters and ingredients, have fun with it!
Jeannie says
I like it how you made it super easy 🙂 I like looking at cocktail menus and yes they are pricey but having to learn making at home is cheaper and fun
Emily says
Cocktails are pretty easy once you have the tools and ingredients. It's always fun to experiment!
Sue says
Both these walnut bitters cocktails sound yummy, I am going to be on the lookout for some Cardamaro for sure!!
Emily says
You are going to love them! If you can't find Cardamaro, any amaro liqueur will work!
Holly says
I'm so intrigued by the gin cocktail! We are big fans of old fashioneds so we'll have to give it a shot!
Emily says
If you like old fashions you will enjoy this drink for sure. The black walnut bitters are pretty amazing.