Bittermens ‘Elemakule (“old man”) Tiki Bitters. This stuff is killer. This has been referred to as “cocktail duct tape,” and oh how true that statement is! Does your cocktail taste bad? Not enough flavor? Unbalanced? Bad flavor combination? Don’t dump it, just add a few dashes of this and voila! Deliciousness.

Cocktail bitters are like the spices of the liquid libation world, adding the binding flavors to complete your cocktail creation. These bitters were inspired by falernum, the Caribbean syrup/liqueur that is rife with flavors of lime zest and rich warm spices, and was formulated with tiki drinks in mind (think: rums, citrus, fruits, and paradise), though the fantastic flavor profile will elevate any drink you make.

It’s dominated by notes of allspice and cinnamon, with strong supporting roles played by citrus, cardamom, and ginger, all the while still maintaining potent bitterness at its core to work its magic to balance out a cocktail and cut through the sweet flavors prevalent in tiki drinks.

At around $20 a bottle, the price tag may initially seem a bit heavy, but trust me, this is a great investment that will last you a long time (a few drops go a long way), especially if you’re a fan of tiki drinks. Heck, even if you’re not, this may be just the secret ingredient you’ve been looking for to elevate your cocktail game.

For recipe ideas, click here.