Bitter Queens Sassy Sally Sarsparilla Bitters

Bitter Queens Sassy Sally Sarsparilla Bitters is a 5 oz bottle of root beer–scented cocktail bitters — sarsaparilla and sassafras with citrus and a kiss of mint — built especially for bourbon, rye, apple brandy, and rum drinks, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• Format: cocktail bitters, 5 fl oz (148 mL)
• Flavor profile: root beer–like — sarsaparilla, sassafras, licorice root, cinnamon, citrus, mint
• Ingredients: alcohol, sarsaparilla, sassafras, citrus, spices (per brand)
• Origin: Bitter Queens — born in the Bay Area, now based in New Orleans, LA
• Pairs with: bourbon, rye, apple brandy, rum; whiskey peach smash, brandy sour, rum Old Fashioned

The Root-Beer Bitters Your Bourbon's Been Waiting For

Of all the Bitter Queens personalities, Sassy Sally is the one that tastes like nostalgia: the brand describes root-beer-like aromas of sarsaparilla and licorice root, warmed with cinnamon and citrus and finished with a kiss of mint. It's a natural ally for American whiskey — the brand's own guide steers it toward bourbon and rye, apple brandy, and rum, and suggests a whiskey peach smash, a whiskey or apple brandy sour, and a rum Old Fashioned as showcase serves. And it's not just for the glass: the guide also names meaty marinades as fair game. See the whole Bitter Queens lineup, or reach for the Marie Laveau Tobacco Bitters when you want a darker, smokier take on whiskey-adjacent bitters.

Tasting Notes

Sarsaparilla and sassafras up front — unmistakably root-beer-adjacent — with licorice root depth, cinnamon warmth, bright citrus lift, and a cool mint whisper on the finish. In a bourbon Old Fashioned it adds a soda-shop sweetness of aroma without adding sugar.

How to Enjoy

Dash it into anything you'd build on bourbon or rye: Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, whiskey sours, and apple brandy drinks. The brand's guide also suggests it in marinades — a few dashes stand in for the sarsaparilla note in barbecue-adjacent sauces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does sarsaparilla taste like in bitters?
Think root beer without the carbonation or sweetness: earthy, vanilla-tinged, and aromatic, with licorice-root depth and a minty finish here.

Does it contain sugar?
No — bitters are a concentrated flavoring used in dashes. The sweetness you smell is aroma from sarsaparilla, sassafras, and spice, not added sugar.

Which spirit does it pair with best?
Bourbon and rye are the brand's first picks, followed by apple brandy and rum.

Is it only for cocktails?
Cocktails first, but the brand's product guide also recommends it in marinades and other culinary uses.

Give your whiskey cocktails a root-beer twist — order Sassy Sally Sarsparilla Bitters online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.