Fee Bros Aztec Chocolate Bitters: Whisk Sips Video Cocktail Series

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, and in 1883 the name was changed from James Fee & Company to Fee Brothers. When prohibition began in 1920, Fee Brothers kept themselves afloat by making altar wine & distributing wine-making supplies. That didn't stop poor quality black market alcohol from flooding the market, so Fee Brothers developed a line of cordial syrups and drink flavorings designed to make inferior spirits taste like the real thing. When prohibition ended in 1933, they kept making their cordial syrups, and by 1950 their flavored cocktail bitters line really became a focus. They're best known for their huge selection of flavored cocktail bitters.

Fee Brothers' Aztec Chocolate bitters are a unique offering that combines a rich cocoa flavor with a touch of heat and a pleasant bitter finish. Made with cocoa beans, chili peppers, warm spices like cinnamon, and traditional bittering agents, they're a perfect complement to dark spirits like rum, whiskey, or tequila.

2 oz rye whiskey

1/4 oz real maple syrup

3 or 4 dashes Aztec Chocolate bitters

Orange twist

Add whiskey, maple syrup, & chocolate bitters to a mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir to chill and strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Flame an orange twist over the glass (hold a lit match between the orange twist and the glass, and squeeze the twist to release the oils toward the glass — the oils flame up when released). Rub the orange twist along the rim of the glass and add the twist to the cocktail as garnish. Enjoy!