Fee Bros Cranberry Bitters: Whisk Sips Video Cocktail Series

Fee Brothers’ History:

In 1864, James Fee opened a grocery and liquor store in Rochester, NY to help support his large, close-knit family. His brothers helped him grow the store into a successful winery and wine import business. The name was changed from James Fee & Company to Fee Brothers in 1883.

Surviving Prohibition: 

When prohibition began in 1920, Fee Brothers kept themselves afloat by making altar wine & distributing wine-making supplies. They even consulted with homeowners to legally make their own wine at home. It was legal to make a small amount of wine for personal use, but making and selling stronger spirits was strictly forbidden.

That didn’t stop people from trying though, and poor quality alcohol flooded the market. Most of the people making this black market booze had no clue what they were doing. For that reason, most of the alcohol being sold in saloons and speakeasies tasted terrible. Fee Brothers saw this as an opportunity and developed a line of cordial syrups and drink flavorings. They designed them to make inferior spirits taste like the real thing. Benedictine, Chartreuse, Brandy, and Rum flavorings were among their most popular products.

Cocktail Bitters:

When prohibition ended in 1933, Fee Brothers started selling liquor again. They kept making their cordial syrups though, and they remained very popular. Therefore, they soon decided to focus on mixers, syrups, and flavorings instead. By 1950 they were on a never-ending quest to develop new products and their flavored cocktail bitters line really became a focus. Fee Brothers’ product list now boasts almost 100 drink mix products. Today they’re best know for their huge selection of flavored cocktail bitters.

Cranberry Bitters:

Fee Brothers Cranberry bitters are an unusual and hard to find bitter that adds a tart, fruity sweetness to your favorite cocktails. With notes of botanical bittering agents and citrus zest, they’re fruit forward and taste of unsweetened cranberry and cherry juices. They’d be perfect for fall and winter cocktails and would make a great addition to the bar at your upcoming holiday parties. They’re best used in drinks that you don’t want to water down or over-sweeten with too much cranberry juice. Please watch the video below for an idea of how to put Fee’s cranberry bitters to use in your home bar.

The Cranberry Rose

2 oz applejack
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz grenadine
4 to 6 dashes cranberry bitters

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until frosty and frothy and strain into a cocktail or coupe glass. Enjoy!