Why I drink THIS | The Tale of the Bitters Shot

[@DustyCrossties]

I was there! I was 18 or so trying to get home from winter camping on Rock Island. The wind had kicked up overnight and was shoving big ice blocks across the Death's Door straight, stopping ferry service between Washington Island and the peninsula. So, stranded, we went to Nelson's Hall for some grub and to watch a Packers playoff game. Thanks for conjuring up some good old memories.

[@AndersErickson]

Love this story - cheers!

[@BreakerBeat]

In Denmark we do have a tradition for drinking bitters straight, although it's a slightly different kind than the ones used in cocktails - they are maybe more related to things like Fernet Branca. Popular bitters in Denmark are Gammel Dansk (meaning: Old Danish) and Arnbitter. It's common at pubs to order an "Aarhus set", which is a beer and a shot of Arnbitter next to it. Aarhus is the name of a city where that specific bitter is from. So it probably wasn't too foreign for Tom to down some bitter.

[@bevoburn]

Finally, an excuse for me to travel to Wisconsin.

[@DietBajaBlast]

Cheese curds, bro

[@housefire221]

Try the Lake Geneva Cruise Line!! I’m a mail jumper there and you’d love it!

[@markemenecker5656]

Spotted cow, too

[@maxkrohn662]

Door county is a beautiful place Lee!

[@Yashhaa]

@@markemenecker5656 omg that stuff is the best brew I’ve ever had, granted I’m not a huge brew guy but I’ve had my fair share and I love it.

[@EZeeleee]

Personally, I prefer to sip my shot of Ango with a Mexican Coke back. It's really tasty, and the back and forth between the sweet bubbly soda and the dark spicy bitters is very enjoyable. Give it a try!

[@AndersErickson]

Will do! I can see how that would be good. Thank you for the tip!!

[@josephwilliams1915]

Jarritos makes a cola. Their cola is far superior tasting to coke, just saying. But it is kinda hard to find.

[@trashcompactorYT]

Today I'm backing mine with a mango Pepsi. Surprisingly good flavor combination. The cola flavor, the (admittedly probably artificial) mango, the cloves, they all work together to make a very nice and long lasting taste on your palette. I recommend it if you can find a can of mango Pepsi in your area.

[@cam2351]

@@josephwilliams1915 I don't know if I'd say I like mexican cola more thab coke or mexican coke, but I think it would definately be a really good compliment for angustora bitters

[@sab0nes]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses bitters and coke

[@stockicide]

I enjoyed reading about Nelson's Hall on wikipedia, but it's a lot more interesting to hear the story from a full-fledged member of the bitters club!

[@MIG106]

I just discovered your channel on a friend's recommendation, and browsing through your videos I thought...'Huh, a shot of bitters. How very Wisconsin.' So then to click, watch, and find our you're from my favorite place on Earth is wonderful!

[@snaz76]

As a native Dane, I endorce this practice (although we usually drink the Danish bitters like Dr. Nielsen bitter and Arnbitter, or some of the many Italian bitters, like Fernet Branca).

[@JK-li3go]

I know this video is 4 years old now but my wife and I have recently started following you and Az on this channel and have been having a ball trying all your fun cocktails! This video was one that had slipped by us until tonight, but as soon as we watched it we immediately looked at each other and said, "Road Trip!!" We love traveling together so thank you for giving us another excuse to pack up the car and enjoy another adventure! It's November now, so we're thinking March might be a nice time of year to get our membership card! Thanks for all the hard work you and Az put it. Your channel is ALWAYS a pleasure!

[@WeI3I3y]

I've always used Angostura in my Old Fashioned and have never thought to take a shot of it, until now. Thanks for that experience!

[@AndrewCasperson]

Went to a great bar in Chicago called Ward Eight, where the proprietor is from WI and grew up shooting Ango just as you did. His twist on the shot had a small Chartreuse float - I HIGHLY recommend this addition!

[@AndersErickson]

Gee Andrew, I thought you'd remember me 😉 Glad you enjoyed the house shot!

[@AndrewCasperson]

@@AndersErickson Yeesh, that was you?! I gotta get it together! Anyway, hope you are well and I look forward to getting back in to see you sometime soon with friends!!

[@Scooterpat2]

OK, just tried the "bitters shot", at home, after watching the episode that said that I should do this! An interesting experiment! I only, just a couple of days ago had a flight of Vermouth. I know this sounds very differant, but, for me these have both been eye opening experiances. Thank You for for sharing your knowledge, and expertise with the rest of us! Patrick

[@paull5583]

Just now caught this video. So you’re a Door County boy! My grandparents had lakefront property in Gills Rock. Funny thing is for the 36 years that I went up there constantly, I have NEVER been to Washington Island. My grandfather always there was nothing over there and no need to go. LOL. The passenger only ferry used to leave from the dock across harbor from where my grandparents lived.

[@anappealtokino8825]

I've been making cocktails and had a drinking habit since I was 18 and I can't always get alcohol reliably until I turn 21 next year, when I need a few drinks they don't let me down. Much like Tom I immediately saw they sell them to anyone at the grocery store. I'll definitely continue to drink it every once in awhile after my birthday. I drink a bottle to two bottles and it's rather pleasant.

[@deffinez9651]

so it gets you drunk????

[@MichaelDZ440]

@@deffinez9651 yes

[@homercomeruntaco9345]

@@deffinez9651 its about as much alcohol as most liquors and you dont need id to buy. they dont taste too good by themselves though

[@Daxee79]

@@MichaelDZ440how much do you need to get drunk

[@MichaelDZ440]

@@Daxee79 its 45% alcohol so its stronger than most vodka.

[@davidkush552]

You should do a followup to this video with the 200th anniversary bottle of Angostura

[@DocIPA]

I'm 60 miles by water or a 9 hour drive from Nelsens and love Ango! Loved my first shot and can't wait to visit the pub!

[@InFocusStudio]

What a fun story and I have to say, the thought of doing an Ango shot has never crossed my mind. While intense, it was actually far better than I thought it would be. Dare I say it, I kinda liked it.

[@KristinM2288]

The amount of old timers up here that do shots of bitters or half and half whiskey/bitters is unreal. I remember when I turned 21 I learned about all of this pretty quickly

[@BusinessMuscles]

Never thought to try it, but I took one with you guys. Full shot! I actually genuinely love it, I love bitter flavors, cinnamon, and cloves so I don’t know why I never thought to try it! Will definitely be asking for this next time I go to the local dive just to see them react lol

[@rometimed1382]

Going to save this for whenever I end up in Wisconsin, I will make a point to go way up to Nelsen Hall.

[@kennyangel]

Did not do a shot of bitters, but was drinking a slightly too sweet craft beer and though "what if I put a dash of Angostura into it" and it really made the beer nicer (though not any less sweet).

[@davidebenezer9105]

You pressured me into it. Had my first shot of bitters with the two of you! Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Nice! Cheers, David!

[@EagleTears]

Cheers!

[@2342-d8o]

I had a shot of bitters with you in front of the screen, i was sceptic but it tasted better than i thought it would! Cheers and thanks for the company!

[@XIsleTheWanderer]

Just took a shot of the bitters I have on hand (got some orange bitters a while back, so mine tasted like a bitter orange christmas lol) - that was a lot better than I was anticipating, and I can definitely see why people developed a taste for it.

[@TheSweetEscapeMUA]

What a fun story! I totally want to go get my bitters card now! Also...Azusa’s reaction is hysterical and I’m OBSESSED with your Halloween costume!

[@AndersErickson]

I can’t tell you how happy that costume made me!

[@TheSweetEscapeMUA]

Anders Erickson please recycle it and make it a yearly thing! Also...tried the bitters shot! Holy hell thats...INTENSE.

[@beaupiano]

Fascinating! I live in Evanston, IL but have never made it up to Door County or Washington Island. Now I wanna go just so I can join the bitters club. I love all things bitter- I’m gonna have to try a shot here soon!

[@m.litwicki2077]

Very informative - a whole episode on the old Ango, what a great idea! Also good to see Az out from behind the camera. I predict that this channel may one day evolve into one called Az 'n' Anders. Or something like that.

[@MichaelMartin-eh6wl]

Def need more Az. I like Anders, but Az is pretty. Anders can make a good drink.

[@hanhanlon4441]

@@MichaelMartin-eh6wl Az is very pretty, but Anders has the on-camera/host personality! And I'm here for the drinks and info, not the looks! (Love the looks of the cocktails, though) :D

[@rll123]

Why can't I like this more than once?

[@edh533]

Earned my bitters club card in 2018! Nelsen's was fun on a Friday night. We're all from Chicago...my wife's aunt and uncle moved up to the island in the 1990's, opened a coffee house and never looked back. Wife's cousin was waitressing and said the bitters club was a must. Great video, Anders.

[@rafisalfonsonin4908]

How far from Chicago?

[@edh533]

@@rafisalfonsonin4908 5 hours drive, plus a ferry ride

[@petersteele3656]

Just discovered your channel a week or two ago. Really enjoying it. Did the shot, loved it. Really appreciated the history in this video. thank you!!!😊

[@Yashhaa]

Saw this in my moms fridge lol, that brought me to this video. Took two shots and I actually like it a lot. It reminds me of extra strong yagermeister, or black liquorish on steroids. I would actually drink this stuff quite often if it wasn’t 12 dollars for a tiny little bottle. Cheers!!!

[@markthomas8027]

It’s good to hear about obscure places to put on my places to go list. I did the shot with you. Reminds me of a homemade fruit cake I used to make (Alton Brown recipe) but concentrated. Cheers!! Love your channel and early cocktails. I wish more bars knew how to make them. Thanks

[@tab0227]

in this vein, a video on the Trinidad Sour (one of my favorites) would be super cool!

[@AndersErickson]

Definitely - I love the Trinidad Sour. Thanks for the comment!

[@rishim3653]

Yes ! I took my first bitters shot with you ! My Parents were born in Trinidad so I always saw Angostura Bitters in the fridge cuz we use it for cooking... I am born and raised in Toronto and all I gotta say is you got the best vybez man

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much, Rishi! I love that you have a link to Trinidad - you were destined to be in the bitters club. Cheers!

[@jonstangel7583]

Been to Door County and Washington Island many times. Never knew this. Thank you for sharing. Will be up there this coming week.

[@philipshort7915]

Ah - what a super story and a great idea. Can’t wait to go and pour a shot now!! All the best from the Atlantic Coast of Ireland ☺️

[@jdrop40]

Been there, done that! Great bar with good food. Always a stop on the way to and from Rock Island!

[@AndersErickson]

If you're hitting up Rock Island on the trip, you're doing it right! Cheers to you!

[@JC-77]

Not sure how I did not stumble upon this gem of a story earlier. Summer trip! I've been wantng to do the Ludington to Manitowac ferry for years...once in Manitowac it would be foolish not to venture up the coast.

[@jito_]

did the shot with you. i love angostura so i definitely need to visit this place if im ever in wisconsin.

[@xeroexistence]

Finally just now seeing this video (thanks KZbin!) and took my first Ango shot, and I gotta say I quite like it; it’s a lot sweeter than I expected.

[@davidstewart3868]

I spent several Summer vacations in Door County when I was a kid. My Dads Aunt & Uncle had a beautiful cabin on the bay side…beautiful country. 35 years ago my buddy Fritz and I flew up to Door County after attending the EAA air show in Oshkosh. We bicycle camped and spent a day on beautiful Washington Island. I’ll have to do a shot of Angostura before I go back to Oshkosh this year with my brother. Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Love that you're able to get up there! Definitely do the shot and join the club - cheers!

[@lushedleshen]

I’m actually a PTC non taster, so there’s this whole spectrum of bitter chemicals I can’t taste. As a result, bitters shots are actually slightly sweet to me. I fucking love them.

[@spookz4469]

bitter tastes similar to how chalk feels. This might make sense; it might not.

[@lushedleshen]

@@spookz4469 I can still taste bitter, but there’s a large selection of bitter chemicals I can’t taste. So kale and vegetables are somewhat sweet to me. Coffee is still bitter, but to my understanding it’s not nearly as bad.

[@spookz4469]

@@lushedleshen that's so weird to try to comprehend. Really interesting!!

[@killercows3846]

You should order some miracle berries and see how they affect your taste buds! they temporarily alter your tastes buds and sweet and sour foods/drinks are entirely different!

[@lushedleshen]

@@killercows3846 it’s not that my tastebuds are strange or confused, there’s just a spectrum of receptors that I either do not have or are VERY insensitive.

[@josephlaw6589]

Wow, just tried a shot! took my breath away a little... But its better than I was expecting! Love the channel, Keep it up. Cheers from Durham UK.

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Joseph! Welcome to the bitters club!

[@fuzzynuttyz1]

I did the shot. It was quite good. I'd be happy to do it again, this time at Nelson's Hall Bitters Pub. I'll also try it with Mexican Coke soon.

[@holdenjannusch1109]

This is insane! This is one of my favorite channels and i’m literally watching this video while on vacation with my family in door county 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@Barprints]

I'm literally thinking of doing this and daring my buddies to do it. Might be a new Instagram/TikTok challenge. 😂

[@TJGAUTHIER]

So much charisma that I got out of bed at nearly midnight to do a shot with you! I enjoyed it and the evolution was really interesting. It weirdly reminded me of crab boil without the heat and orange peel.

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers to you! Thanks for doing the shot - welcome to the club!

[@Juuk-D]

learned something new 👍🏽 greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@AndersErickson]

That’s wonderful to hear! Welcome to the channel! 🥃

[@guyrich6467]

I did the shot with you. Never heard of this before. Totally bitter Christmas. Heavy, heavy cloves. Thanks

[@sunbro9133]

I subbed after the comment at 5:06 and the dad joke that followed! 🤣🤣 I found this video because i have bitters and i was curious should i just drink this and here we are. 2 shots down. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@jasonnewman3501]

I love angostura bitters. Gentian root extract which is the main ingredient in Angostura. Utters is also the main ingredient in my absolute favorite soda called Moxie. It started out as a medicine then was turned into a soda. It was the first mass marketed soda in the country.

[@joshuacaulfield]

Loved this video, I especially enjoyed the arrows and graphics. I hadn’t noticed them in your more recent videos. I suspect they take an inordinate amount of time, but they are well appreciated in this video. Also, I invited my drinking crew to join the bitters club, and made some cards up. Thanks! That was fun.

[@jmartlncln]

I love these kind of stories! Guarantee I will think of that every time I have that bitters now

[@djfloodmusic]

That was delightful! Reminds me of Underberg!

[@chronovore3726]

When I tended bar, I made a coctail with equal parts Angostura bitters, gin, and rose water.

[@littlefox54]

I did the shot with you and Az. Quite good actually! Cheers🎉

[@andrewstewart6689]

This story is so awesome. If it wasn’t before 9 am while I was watching this I would join you.

[@ThePanTian]

Being from Germany. We shoot Bitters too. For example, UNDERBERG. Fun fact: It is the same stuff as angustora.

[@freddiedias8866]

Loved the story. I tried the shot straight after I watched the video and it was delicious! I have always loved bitter drinks and Im quite partial to a Fernet Branca after a meal. However the Angostura was so warm, spicy and delicious. Just like Christmas as you said!

[@Cremantus]

Well... here is Germany Bitter are common. You can find a variety of 5 to 10 brands easily in any better sorted supermarket. Typical brands are Jägermeister, Kümmerling, Underberg and others... Italy is keen as well... and the story of that bar is a nice one. Thumbs up!

[@alanmiller6110]

I’ve never tried bitters but love Amaro. I lived in Naples Italy for a few years. It is helpful after a big Italian meal!

[@hanhanlon4441]

I love the esoteric bits of history I get from watching your videos! My "shot" is more like a quarter ounce, haha. It is intense but strangely enjoyable! And I never knew it was for medicinal purposes "repurposed" during Prohibition! :) I got my brother-in-law to try it. Cheers!

[@richardvogel6307]

Somewhere in a book from 2005 at Nelson's Hall is my signature and some witty remark after having done that bitters shot

[@carolynbrandt-griffith4449]

Love those bitters shots and Nelson's! ❤❤

[@HornsFan0228]

I'm late to the game, but just watched your video and joined you in a Bitters Shot. I've enjoyed Underberg for a while now, but for some reason I hadn't before thought of pouring myself a shot of Angostura. (Yeah, I don't know why, either.) I like it! Good for what ails ya. Cheers!

[@SuperTubeLurker]

I'm from central WI and never knew this. Gotta make my way up to Door sometime.

[@Greedman456]

nice story:) glad you shared it with us

[@BransGams]

Dude I live in sister bay! So cool! Awesome you know this story.

[@forunlawfulcar-nalknowledg1081]

Trinidad sour is probably one of my favorite uses for angostura.

[@vetbridge]

I’m 63. Just did a shot and was “pleasantly” surprised. Will do again. Sent a link to this to my brother thus shaming him into doing a shot. He says it’s disturbing. Cheers.

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

Im going to Door County this weekend, definitely going to do this!

[@MVRGlol]

This video is a treat. Explanation and historical, love it all around.

[@Zaubrer488]

holy shit, I actually was intrigued to try this with you... and did. I actually liked it. I guess I will do that with a couple of friends soon. Finally my angustory bitter is getting some good use!

[@Barprints]

I'm not gonna lie! I'm trying this tonight! 😂

[@peternielsen5908]

Angostura is very expensive in Denmark where I live. About 20 times the price of other bitters i.e. Fernet Branca. I've therefore never had a shot of Angostura, but will surely try it now.

[@ephektz]

You are an absolute gem.

[@hankscorpio33]

Anders, I've been making old fashioned's all night (courtesy of your videos, ty again) Then I wondered if you could shoot bitters, so I looked it up and there you were. I legit paused when you said join me and poured a shot. I won't lie, I doubt I'll do this again.

[@AndersErickson]

Haha love this!

[@lucylamolina5899]

I'm so glad I found this channel , is fun , instructive and makes you want to have a cocktail ..😋💗

[@janayelyse9410]

Hubby and I became full fledged members for our first anniversary! Good excuse to continue to visit Door County ☺️🥂

[@MichaelBblahblah]

Definitely need to have a shot of Angostura tonight

[@boneless1990]

Her handwriting and copying of the font was incredible. That looked like the actual bottle.

[@charlottemalone7375]

Tried it - that was WILD. The flavors just kept on coming. Enjoyed it quite a bit more than I expected to. Cheers!

[@hikingal6335]

I drink bitters all the time every day! I'm also from Wisconsin. My mom always had it around for her cocktails. I remember back in the day it used to say something about helping the stomach, but it doesn't anymore. I agree about the staining! Doesn't come out very easily if at all. My teeth were looking discolored so I would have listerine handy to swish after. Now I use an eye dropper and drop a little at a time in the back of my mouth 🙃, it works well, but you have to do a lot for a shot...perhaps a day would add up to one. I just ordered some on Amazon so I wouldn't have to drive far to a store that carries it and a 4 oz bottle is the cheapest at Walmart under $7 but other stores are $10-$12. Thanks for sharing this 🙌

[@lizzardlaw]

I will be 'brave' for New Year's Eve -- We love you both and thank you for the videos.

[@9spiderlegs]

Definitely going to do one of these shots later! I'm from the midwest, so not only is Door County a regular vacation destination for my family, but i also subscribed as soon as i saw that Journeyman's bottle on your bar ;)

[@natesatt4425]

Subscribed after home girls reaction to half a shot.. commitment!!

[@throwingpotsandpans]

It must be love. Or foolishness. Both?

[@simonnielsen3842]

This was really cool! I have been watching your videos for awhile, and am a native Wisconsinite! I did not even know this story, but will occasionally do a shot of bitters! It started when I was a brewer at Central Waters (if you know them), and developed an "Old Fashioned" themed beer aged in both brandy and bourbon barrels. After aging and prior to packaging we would add Angostura (within the legal limit for adding spirits to a finished beer). Anyways, I ordered it in 5 gallon jugs and we had a good amount leftover...so we all were doing shots at the brewery of Angostura. I've loved it ever since. Thank you for the history!

[@AndersErickson]

Love this story! Cheers, Simon!

[@TheAyeAye1]

You inspired me to shoot the last half oz in the bottle I had in the fridge. It wasn't bad. Not something want to do often, but it will make a great party trick.

[@jessicatomato6919]

It was better than I thought! Thanks for this video!

[@olegs1594]

As a matter of fact I've developed a taste for bitters quite some time ago. Thank you for a great story! It will definitely bring more colours to a shot of bitters. Also a great thing to answer when being asked what in the butt I am doing xD Cheers and hugs from the snowy Mother Russia! =)

[@Mike_B_724]

I grew up about 120 miles north of Green Bay in Iron County MI and I recall hearing stories about Nelson's Hall and the "medicine" from the old timers in town. I always it was just tall tales LOL Now I've got to try it 😄

[@AndersErickson]

You come from a beautiful area, Mike! I hope you try the shot - cheers to you!

[@ungarsactif]

Just tried that Angoshot tonight. Wow! Wasn't expecting that much of flavors in such a small shot.

[@wafflemop]

Just did my shot of bitter today Anders. Cheers!

[@LEMONedOblaat]

That was actually really good. Ango in that quantity tastes alot like Unicum. Very bracing and surprisingly refreshing. Now I am eyeballing a bottle of peychaud's.

[@amlido80]

Great channel! I can recommend a real Danish bitter, the Dr Nielsens bitter! Real tasty with a carlsberg and some smörebrö. Skål!

[@superdarling]

WOW ... did the bitters-shot while I was drinking my first Whiskey Sour I learned from another of your videos... not only do I now know where the color in the sour comes from but also know that drinking a bitters shot makes the Whiskey Sour taste much less sour :-) hahaha.... Thanks for the great recipes and story of the bitters shot ! .. Greetings from Amsterdam 😎👍

[@oggamingreaper7448]

bitters ? ... I love the stuff

[@stephane.foisy.186]

Love bitters. I use shots angostura as a stomach settler, works better than most other medicine

[@jmartlncln]

..got some bitter's today and joined you for the shot!

[@farhanamajid2625]

I don't think the two of you could be anymore adorable and entertaining.

[@AndersErickson]

😂 Thanks, Farhana!! ❤️

[@cathywells5065]

My husband and I just did a half a shot because of this video and we had an extra bottle of bitters in the house. We approve!

[@tomasmorales814]

Amazing story! Wouldn't get this story anywhere else on KZbin thank you guys!

[@unavailable.mp4]

Always found it funny grocery stores don't Id anyone when you buy bitters, glad to see great minds think alike