“A cocktail cabinet without Angostura is like a kitchen without salt and pepper.”
Angostura Aromatic Bitters was created in 1824 by Dr. Johann Siegert—surgeon general for Venezuelan military leader Simón Bolívar— who developed the stuff as a medicinal tonic for Bolívar's army. Created from a blend of herbs and spices, it was intended to cure upset stomachs. Now, it's a universal staple in every mixologist's home bar and an essential ingredient in classic cocktails like the Manhattan