Make Your Own Cocktail Bitters + Botanica Unboxing

[@deoxyplasmic]

Classy, relaxing, fun, and instructional? Yes, please.

[@KevinKos]

Thank you so much!

[@ManjitSingh-xs3vw]

@@KevinKos could you share, how to make homemade chocolate bitter?

[@PatrickJaszewski]

When I got married 4 years ago, I made Absinthe bitters for a house "groom's" cocktail based on the Billionaire from Employee's Only in NY and it was a lot of fun to do. We did a take on the St. Germain Elderflower Spritz for the bride (using rose - "The Blushing Bride"). I've also made other bitters from that book with great results. Of course, there is no replacement for Angostura or Peychaud's but it is fun to get some variety.

[@KevinKos]

Those sound like great ideas and a wonderful wedding! It's an awesome book and bitters can be made is so many varieties, but you're right, the classics are the classics for a reason!

[@pabloschultz5192]

You’re amazing dude. Are you gonna share more bitter recipes? Like the cherry and coffee ones.

[@davidchen6558]

The 2-week transition is so smooth! Got a few questions for you: 1. How do you get the labels for your bitters dropper bottles? They are consistent and look classy. Do you design them yourself? 2. Why don't you add less 96% alcohol in the first place, so that you can omit the dilution step? Is there some special consideration? Thank you for the fabulous content!

[@KevinKos]

I made labels by myself using the Canva website. With a higher alcohol level, you have different/higher extractions so I rather infuse it in 96% alcohol and then dilute it. Thank you!

[@davidchen6558]

interesting point, thank you!

[@KevinKos]

Would you like to have your own bitters?! To calculate alcohol content for my bitters use this online calculator by PlanetCalc: planetcalc.com/1481/

[@alsjka]

Damn dapper as hell.. bringing back style

Love this episode! Thanks for sharing "how to" with us!

[@KevinKos]

Thank you! I am glad that you like it!

[@jmccallisterUT]

Definitely going to try this one. Thanks Kevin for the recipe. I have made lots of bitters and am now preparing to bring a basic cardamom bitter to market.

[@GregHall66]

I just found your channel a couple of weeks ago and I have been watching three to four videos a night! Very inspirational. That mustache... words cannot express how cool it is.

[@flavrt]

Yes, I do make my own bitters of a sort. I zest all my citrus and extract their flavors in canning jars with (the cheap but excellent) Costco vodka. Then mix 1:1 with an invert sugar and Gum Arabic syrup. A dollop of this fixes the most dreary tea, hot or cold.

[@KevinKos]

That sounds wondeful, Florida! Tea with that is basically a homemade remedy!

[@samreimer8986]

Haha

[@sarkastico]

Nice and instructional..congrats for the content...very high quality! You also deserve a "big like for" that shot of Angostura 👍

[@julianmedero4728]

The most underrated mixologist youtuber!!!!

[@kipora]

Wow the quality of the shots and the script deserves an oscar! Great content as usual!

[@KevinKos]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chall3016]

Hey Kevin, how bout a recipe for Rooibos Bitters? Sounds great!

[@ajsmen]

Love bitters in cocktails, with neat spirits or with just tonic water or even with soda 🤤👌

[@KevinKos]

Nice. Did you know that Angostura with soda cures hangover? 😉

[@Tajciika]

Looove the Botanica products🥬🌶 def need to order a box of spices for myself😊🥳 great video👏🏻

[@KevinKos]

Nice! For cocktail garnishes or for making your own orange bitters? 👌

[@KevinKos]

Thanks!

[@jt471]

Thank you so much, Kevin. This is nice to see options for bitters, and I like cooking, so I will make a few of these and keep them on hand.

[@KevinKos]

That's great! You are welcome!

[@s.russell1856]

Great presentation of useful information. Thanks!

[@christineconrad9763]

I had my first Trinidad Sour the other day... all I can say is... whoa.

[@KevinKos]

It is a real explosion of aromas in your mouth right? Great cocktail.

[@tienvo-bg5ex]

Thanks so much for your videos, lots of great ideas and huge inspiration, from Vietnam with love! 🍸🍸🍸

[@KevinKos]

You are so welcome! I am glad that you like them. Regards to Vietnam!

[@OrenNoah]

I made some cardamon bitters, using an ISI whipper. Turned out great.

[@etar1]

Going back on old videos!!! Always top class buddy!!! Give a shout if you pass by London

[@KevinKos]

Thank you, Francesco!

[@wayansusila8536]

That's a great video and new knowledge for me and How to use bitter

[@KevinKos]

Awesome!

[@TheTribalBarGuy]

Such a great and informative video. Cool!

[@KevinKos]

Thanks. I am glad that you like it!

[@neufelgar]

Hello! Nice Channel my friend! I dont have high spirit drinks where i live. If i use only vodka how many time can the bitter be stored? Thanks

[@mixologycocktailinfusions5264]

Great episode! New subscriber & follower on FB. Thank you!

[@KevinKos]

Welcome aboard!

[@richwoodster]

very classy! And an excellent moustache...

[@KevinKos]

Thank you kindly!

[@LifeHeal]

Hi, how important is it to use dried lemon peel and dried orange peel compared to fresh lemon peel and orange peel. Also. I live in Dubai. Here we do not get overproof alchohol. I only get 100 proof smirnoff. Can I still make a good bitters with 100 proof smirnoff ?

[@laybackyardfarm6929]

I'm your big fan.. can you teach me how to make chocolate bitter

[@francescochiavetta9357]

Wow...amazing channel mixology!!🍹🙏

[@KevinKos]

Thank you! 🥂

[@thesimonslab]

🥃 Končno sem našel čas, ko sem si lahko pogledal nov video. Živeli 🥃

[@KevinKos]

Me veseli. Upam da ti je bil všeč 😉

[@chrisfletcher1773]

Hello sir do you think it's possible to make a cream soda cocktail. Bonus points for making it fancy

[@anglingdarma2700]

hey kevin, this is a amazing recipe and episode. i have question for u, where do you to get 45% with 10ml syrup? i check in link u shared. but i don't understand. i understand only to get 55% Cheers, Thankyou

[@vasiliybaranskiy5219]

Hi Kevin. Thanks for the great video. A quick question - do you use quinine bark or quinine bark extract? And if I can substitute quinine and gentian with a wormwood and dandelion, what amount should I use?

[@KevinKos]

Hi! Check out my blue gin & Tonic cocktail episode. Cheers!

[@jleshom32]

What is the link for the Botanica website?

[@jonathand.vanloock9282]

Very nice. Thanks for the recipe !

[@KevinKos]

My pleasure! Thank you!

[@ryanprintup]

Very interested in trying this! What's the shelf life with the added sugar?

[@KevinKos]

If stored in an airtight bottle away from direct sunlight and it should be good forever.

[@wydchannel5566]

Hii kevin how about I use neem leaves as bittering agent instead of gentian? and does it works when I use 40% proff spirit ? anyway you are still greatworks for me cheeerrss

[@hanshockler5017]

What kind of simple syrup did you add at the end?

[@OkanUSA]

haircut is spot on bro!

[@TheAlkimizt]

Hi Kevin, I might have missed some math classes over the years. Can you tell me how much water you've poured into your final misture? just to see if my calculations are correct. Cheers! 🥃🥃

[@aliedoank1991]

Can't wait another video

[@blainebickford1964]

Is quinine bark and cinchona bark the same? Any recommendations to buy the quinine bark? Thank you

[@טלנפתליעטייה]

Great, it was very clear how to do!! So it's actually a regular liquor? Thanks again! ^_^

[@KevinKos]

I wouldn’t call it a regular liqueur. The term 'non-potable bitters' is usually used for this. Potable ones would be bitters like Campari, Fernet... So if we must, let's call it a non-potable liqueur 😉 Thanks!

[@טלנפתליעטייה]

@@KevinKos thanks!! Start to make some today✌️

[@stevenritts193]

Where do you buy the Botanica set?

[@timkarlsson1750]

Where can i get my hands on the bittering agent?

[@ghadiibrahim6358]

Aromatic bitters Cinamon Gloves Hibiscus Dried lemon Lemon Cacaao Lemon grass Coriander Vanilla sugar Do you have any advice?

[@thiagovongilsa]

love your channel, congrats!

[@KevinKos]

Thank you so much!!

[@madanlal1541]

Great sir 👍 👌 👍

[@myblacksession]

Thank you for very- informative video. Can I use wormwood instead of gentian?

[@KevinKos]

Yes you can! Thank you!

[@roksi2210]

Question, if you want to make a different flavoured bitters, you just swap the fresh orange peels and keep the rest of the ingredients? Or you can adjust the rest of them too?

[@KevinKos]

No, you change a lot of agents and sometimes even a solvent. Maybe I will share some other bitters recipes on the channel in a near future. Cheers!

[@roksi2210]

@@KevinKos thank you!!! Yes that would be awesome, please!

[@TheMarkGross]

Just what I wanted to see thanks

[@KevinKos]

Cheers 😉

[@patrikliljenby5987]

is that book to your left the best book about bitters? is there a lot of recipes in it?

[@KevinKos]

There are a lot of bitters recipes in it. I love that book.

[@julioriviera]

Kevin???i can find botanica site to order them. Do you have any links 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@KevinKos]

Hi! Here is their link: botanica.hr/

[@julioriviera]

@@KevinKos love you man

[@jread1384]

This brother is one smoothe criminal.

[@zazovecchi]

An other cocktail time episode ? don’t mind if I do

[@yogeshyeole2695]

Can I use wormwood instead of gentian and quinine as I have it readily available?

[@KevinKos]

You can use it. It will give a slightly different taste to this bitter, but you will still end up with great bitters for your cocktails.

[@yogeshyeole2695]

@@KevinKos cool, thanks

[@MongolTier7]

Great episode. Why the 45% ABV exactly?

[@KevinKos]

I like to have a bit higher ABV of bitters so it's more flavor stable. Thank you!

[@jacklinton5370]

So classy

[@KevinKos]

Thank you!

[@BowieSpoon]

Does anyone know what video Kevin mentions his house bitters ratio? I think it was angostura, orange, and chocolate but I haven’t been able to find it

[@KevinKos]

It's in Ikea Cocktail episode. Cheers!

[@andreabiasini1033]

Grandissimo

[@norbertkalina8733]

Do you have any idea how should I substitute the quinine? In Hungary there's no legal option to get any type of quinine. I already purchased everything for the bitter, but in the end I faced with the regulations of quinine in my country. Somebody would help me out with this one? 😅

[@SkYHawK2600]

Maybe you can add a little bit tonic to give aroma?

[@filipburic5194]

Hey man, what's the brand of bitters you use, is it Czech?

[@filipburic5194]

Damn just watched the rest of the video, ignore that question 😅

[@bigrog3028]

where can you get the botanica kit?

[@KevinKos]

You can order it on their site botanica.hr

[@berkcan2439]

I expected that bartenders handshakes blooper

[@KevinKos]

I didn't expect the outcome, from what I remember 😅

[@lurifax666]

Do they really sell 96% in stores in Slovakia? Highest allowed here in norway is 60%

[@KevinKos]

I come from Slovenia and you can buy a 96% neutral grain spirit here. If you can buy 60% it's still enough to make a great infusion.

[@Possess0r]

Živjo! Kako bi se tole obneslo s 100% tropinovcem? Ravno nekje okrog 50-55%. Bi bilo potrebno podaljšati čas? 1 mesec? Hvala lp.

[@KevinKos]

Pomoje bo dovolj če podaljsas za kaksen teden, je pa smiselno redno spremljat in videt kdaj bo bitter najbolj aromatičen. Je pa dobro tudi vedet, da bo tropinovc bitterju dodal ogrmno okusa. Lp

[@arjunalwaysranawatlearn8658]

How to make coffee bitter ?

[@OldCootProductReviews]

I would stipulate that if you subtract all the citrus (lemon, orange), and instead add maybe 1 oz of whole coffee beans to the recipe in the video, you'll get an amazing coffee bitter.

[@KevinKos]

Bi radi imeli svoje koktajl bitterje?! Za izračun alkoholne stopnje v bitterjih uporabite ta spletni kalkulator od PlanetCalc: planetcalc.com/1481

[@pornsonkunphanaphinan7073]

can we use gentian root powder ?

[@KevinKos]

Yes

[@wayansusila8536]

Could you make video how to make citric acid

[@KevinKos]

Do you mean citric acid solution? It's just water mixed with citric acid (6% of acid usually). You can buy citric acid in most stores.

[@philippewatel4393]

Thanks a lot for your work. As a bittering agent have you tried this herb which is unbelievably bitter. as I am writing I am doing your orange bitter recipe with this one called ARTEMISIA because it is easily available where I live en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_(plant) a teaspoon of ground does the trick! All the best

[@KevinKos]

Wormwood is in the same family and I often use it for my bitters. Thank you! Let me know how you like the bitters!

[@promethiamoore6462]

When nutmeg/pistachio bitters 🤨

[@lefterisb2515]

if i cant find neutral grain spirit ???

[@KevinKos]

Can you find higher high-proof spirits? Then use that.

[@lefterisb2515]

@@KevinKos so can I use an over proof rum (69%) ?? And how much time I have until it expires ?

[@kriminal6034]

haha he shout out my boy Daniel

[@kriminal6034]

and a shot of bitters lolol

[@KevinKos]

He is an amazing person and bartender.

[@maksymilianreiter3111]

you are using gentian and quinine roots right?

[@KevinKos]

Gentian root and quinine bark.

[@AbrahamArgus]

any other bitters agent for advice quinine and gentian is banned for toxicity reason.

[@KevinKos]

Wormwood, quassia chips, dandelion root.

[@RetroSpectre0101]

Could i include the pith of the orange peel to add bitterness or will that not work?

[@KevinKos]

I rather add other types of bittering agents. I just don't like the taste of the white pith. But you can of course add it in.

[@RetroSpectre0101]

@@KevinKos thank you for answering my question so quickly, and i will certainly keep your advice in mind when i decide to make my own bitters. You've made a fantastic video by the way, very informative and entertaining to watch

[@KevinKos]

@@RetroSpectre0101 so happy to hear that. Thank you and cheers!