Bittermilk Old Fashioned Mixer Review

This 2024 Bittermilk No. 1 review looks at the mixer’s flavor, concentrated format and simple preparation, based on our firsthand tasting.

What Makes the Bittermilk Mixer Different

In the world of cocktails, where shaking and stirring can sometimes feel like a high-stakes dance, there emerges a savior: Bittermilk’s No. 1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned mixer. This isn’t just any drink mix; it’s a bottled wizardry that transforms your humble home bar into a five-star speakeasy.

Imagine, if you will, the alchemy of classic bittering agents like gentian root and cinchona bark, mingling with burnt sugar and spices, kissed by the zest of orange peel. This enchanting potion is then aged in Willett bourbon barrels, where it lounges and luxuriates until its flavors meld into a symphony of intensity. The result? A super-concentrated elixir where a little goes a very long way—much like the influence of a well-placed tweet in the age of social media.

How to Mix the Old Fashioned

The magic begins with just a dash—1 part of this mixer to 4 parts rye. Stir it with ice and garnish with an orange peel. Voila! You’re holding a glass of liquid gold, a concoction so divine that even the most discerning mixologist would tip their hat.

The ingredients read like a treasure map to flavor nirvana: Florida Golden Cane Sugar, Burnt Cane Sugar, Water, Orange Peel, Spices, Gentian Root, Cinchona Bark, Tartaric Acid. Each component plays its part in this harmonious blend, creating a balance of sweetness, bitterness, and acidity that would make even a citrus grove envious.

Bittermilk’s No. 1 mixer can also work as a gift for someone who enjoys making Old Fashioneds at home. The product has received coverage from publications including Garden & Gun, Vanity Fair and The Wall Street Journal.

At the time of our review, the brand described a bottle as making about 18 drinks. Actual yield depends on how much mixer you use, but the concentrated format is designed to reduce the measuring and ingredient prep of a traditional Old Fashioned.

For us, the appeal was the shortcut: the mixer made it easy to build a consistent Old Fashioned without measuring several separate ingredients. It still comes down to whether you like Bittermilk’s sweeter, spiced take on the drink, but the convenience was the strongest part of the experience.

For an even more convenient pour, explore our guide to the best ready-to-drink cocktails for parents.