Whisk Sips Video Cocktail Series featuring Hella Smoked Chili Bitters

Hella Bitters History

Hella Cocktail Co. is a New York City-based small batch producer of handcrafted cocktail products. It all started in the early 2000s when they started making bitters at home as a hobby. Eventually they went legit. In 2011 they used crowdfunding to raise enough money to officially launch their brand.

With vision, determination, and a commitment to quality, they grew their business from 5-gallon batches of bitters to 30-gallon batches, and eventually invested in two 550-gallon tanks for their new facility in Queens. From there, they’ve gone on to launch other cocktail products like syrups, mixers, & kits. 

Designed for Home Bartenders

Hella focuses on the home cocktail enthusiast rather than marketing to bars and bartenders. “We want to make bitters for people who don’t know what bitters are,” says cofounder Tobin Ludwig. For that reason, they’ve been sure to make all of their cocktail products user-friendly with a wide appeal.

Smoked Chili Bitters

Hella’s Smoked Chili bitters are satisfyingly spicy, rich, and smoky. They combine classic ingredients like gentian root and orange peel with the warmth of black peppercorns, coriander, and Pasilla de Oaxaca chilies. The result is a unique, interesting bitter that adds a complex depth of flavor to anything you pair it with. Smoked Chili bitters are a natural companion to tequila cocktails, and just a few drops are absolutely transformative in a classic Margarita like the recipe below. But don’t stop there! They’d be a great addition to a Bloody Mary too! 

Smoked Chili Margarita

Smoked Chili Margarita

2 oz Silver Tequila 
.75 oz Triple Sec 
.75 oz Fresh lime juice 
.25 oz agave or simple syrup 
6 Dashes Smoked Chili Bitters

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice or strain up into a margarita or martini glass. To salt the rim properly first carefully dip in fresh lime juice and then dip into 1/4 inch of salt poured out on a plate.