Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters 5OZ

Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters 5OZ is a glycerin-based cocktail bitters with a tart rhubarb profile, bottled at 4.5% ABV in a 5 oz dasher bottle. It holds the distinction of being the only commercially available rhubarb bitters produced in the United States, giving it a singular position among bar bitters.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5% (9 Proof)  |  Origin: Rochester, New York, USA  |  Style: Fruit/Botanical Bitters  |  Producer: Fee Brothers

Production & Heritage

Fee Brothers is a family-owned company founded in 1864 in Rochester, New York, originally operating as a saloon before transitioning into the production of cocktail mixers, bitters, and syrups. Now in its fourth generation, the company developed Rhubarb Bitters using flavor profiles available in 1800s America, aiming to recreate an authentic historical taste. Unlike many traditional bitters that use a high-proof alcohol base, Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters employs a glycerin-based formula — with water, glycerin, and natural and artificial flavors listed as primary ingredients — resulting in a lower ABV and a slightly thicker mouthfeel that distinguishes it from spirit-based competitors.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright, tart rhubarb followed by a candied sweetness reminiscent of rhubarb pie. Underlying notes of sour cherry and a faint medicinal herbaceousness round out the bouquet.

Taste: On the palate, an initial burst of tart rhubarb gives way to flavors of strawberry and sour cherry candy at the mid-palate. Hints of lemon zest and candied clove emerge as the bitterness develops, with a juicy, almost confectionery quality that some liken to Swedish Fish.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, carrying a persistent bitter-tart rhubarb note alongside a subtle medicinal edge. The glycerin base lends a slightly viscous texture that lingers on the tongue.

How to Drink Rhubarb Bitters

A few dashes transform a wide range of cocktails, particularly those built on gin, vodka, or sparkling wine. Start with two to three dashes and adjust to taste.

• Rhubarb Gin & Tonic: Two dashes added to a classic G&T introduce a tart, fruity dimension that complements botanical gins.
• Champagne Cocktail: A dash or two over a sugar cube in a flute of sparkling wine adds complexity and a rosy hue without overwhelming the bubbles.
• Whiskey Sour: The tart rhubarb character amplifies the citrus component while adding depth alongside bourbon's caramel sweetness.

Best For

• Home bartenders building a unique bitters collection beyond Angostura and Peychaud's
• Craft cocktail experimentation with spring and summer drink menus
• Gifting to a cocktail enthusiast who values hard-to-find specialty ingredients
• Adding a signature twist to brunch cocktails like Bellinis or Mimosas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters taste like? It delivers a tart, fruity rhubarb flavor with notes of sour cherry candy, strawberry, lemon zest, and candied clove, balanced by a distinct medicinal bitterness characteristic of classic cocktail bitters.

How does Rhubarb Bitters compare to Fee Brothers Plum Bitters? Both occupy the fruit-forward bitters category from the same producer, but Rhubarb Bitters leans sharply tart and acidic while Plum Bitters delivers a rounder, darker stone-fruit sweetness. The rhubarb expression pairs more naturally with citrus-forward cocktails, whereas plum works well in spirit-forward, stirred drinks.

Is Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters good for cocktails? It is designed specifically as a cocktail ingredient rather than a sipping product; a few dashes bring a tart, fruity complexity to gin drinks, sparkling wine cocktails, and sours.

Where is Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters made? It is produced by Fee Brothers in Rochester, New York, where the family-owned company has operated since 1864, making it one of the oldest bitters producers in the United States.

What foods pair well with Rhubarb Bitters? Used as a finishing dash or incorporated into sauces, it complements goat cheese salads (the tartness cuts richness), pork chops (echoing classic rhubarb-pork pairings), strawberry desserts (amplifying shared fruit notes), vanilla ice cream (adding a bitter-tart contrast), and smoked salmon canapés (brightening fatty, savory bites).

What sizes does Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters come in? The standard offering is a 5 oz (150 ml) dasher bottle, which is the format most widely available for this expression.

Is Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters worth the price? It positions as an affordable specialty bitters — competitively priced within the broader Fee Brothers lineup — and given that it is the only commercial rhubarb bitters available in the U.S. market, it represents strong value for the unique flavor it provides.

Why Rhubarb Bitters?

Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters occupies a category of one: no other commercially produced rhubarb bitters is available on the American market. Its formula draws on flavors documented in 1800s American cocktail culture, giving it a historical authenticity that resonates with the craft cocktail revival. The glycerin-based production method sets it apart from alcohol-heavy bitters, making it accessible to those who prefer or require lower-ABV ingredients. For bartenders and home enthusiasts seeking a genuinely distinctive ingredient that cannot be substituted with anything else on the shelf, this bottle fills a gap no competitor currently addresses.