The makings of a great cocktail: good booze, ice, and not much else. It’s an equation that keeps the Martini going strong.  And it’s the reason why the Old Fashioned is a good thing. The “not much else” is where bitters come into play. Bitters alter the flavor profile of a cocktail in a subtle way, without adding sugar, fruit, or other liquors. There are countless bitter options, but making your own is as easy as throwing a bunch of aromatics in a jar of booze and walking away from it for a week or so.  Two staples in our bar: chocolate bitters and grapefruit bitters.

Now you might say that bitters are cheap at the store, so why mess with making your own? Just go buy it. That’s valid, but, you know, big macs are also inexpensive and so are Wavestorms and so are Crocs. See the point? So let’s not lean on the Costcos and McDonalds of the world, forget that cash saving argument, and enjoy our lives with some stuff you made yourself.—Paul Brewer

CHOCOLATE BITTERS

Drink of choice: vanilla bourbon with chocolate bitters and rocks.  The runner up: sub-out classic bitters for chocolate in an Old Fashioned.

Add to your 8 oz jar:

• ½ cup cacao nibs (find them in the health food isle)
• ½ vanilla bean
• 1 tablespoon gentian root
• fill to the top with 101 proof bourbon

Keep it in a cool, dark place. Shake it from time to time. Let it sit for at least a week before straining out the solids (a coffee filter works great here). Add ¼ simple syrup to the remaining liquids to bring out the flavor.

GRAPEFRUIT BITTERS

Use it with gin, vodka, or add a few drops to your margarita to cut the sweetness.

Add to your jar:

• Zest of 2 grapefruits and 1 lemon
• 3/4 cup 100 proof vodka
• 1/2 tablespoon gentian root
• Small piece of fresh ginger
• 2 fresh sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

Keep it in a cool, dark place. Shake it from time to time. Let it sit for at least a week before straining out the solids (a coffee filter works great here). Add ¼ simple syrup to the remaining liquids to bring out the flavor.

Then put this song on and enjoy the shit out of your night.