Bittermilk No. 4 New Orleans Old Fashioned
Bittermilk No. 4 New Orleans Old Fashioned — the brand's "New Orleans Style Old Fashioned Rouge" — is an 8.5 oz bottle of old fashioned mixer aged in Willett Family Reserve Rye Whiskey barrels: Florida golden cane sugar, fresh lemon peel, wormwood, gentian root, and spices, colored naturally with cochineal for its signature rouge, by Bittermilk Bottling Co. of Charleston, South Carolina, husband-and-wife bartenders Joe and MariElena Raya (The Gin Joint), who launched the line in August 2013 on "the labor is in the bottle — just add booze," available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Size: 8.5 oz bottle (~17 cocktails)
- Ingredients: Florida golden cane sugar, water, fresh lemon peel, spices, wormwood, gentian root, tartaric acid, cochineal (natural red coloring)
- Aging: aged in Willett Family Reserve Rye Whiskey barrels
- Profile: strong and bittersweet — licorice, spice, absinthe-and-bitters character
- Origin: Bittermilk Bottling Co., Charleston, SC, USA — est. 2013
- Build: 1 part No. 4 + 4 parts rye whiskey, stirred with ice, strained into a rocks glass, lemon twist
- Storage: refrigerate after opening; best used within about a month
The Sazerac's Bottled Cousin
New Orleans is the old fashioned's spiritual home via the Sazerac, and No. 4 is built in that image: wormwood, fennel notes, and gentian root imply absinthe and bitters the way a proper Sazerac does, while aging in Willett Family Reserve Rye barrels folds actual whiskey character into the mixer before it ever meets your rye. The cochineal gives it the "Rouge" — a natural red from the cochineal beetle, no artificial dye. The brand build is one part mixer to four parts rye, stirred with ice, strained over fresh ice with a lemon twist; the brand also suggests a splash in sparkling wine for a champagne-cocktail twist. Non-alcoholic at 0.0% ABV — the booze is entirely yours to add. For the mezcal side, see No. 6 Oaxacan Old Fashioned; the full line is at Bittermilk.
Tasting Notes
Strong and bittersweet — packed with licorice and spice, wormwood and gentian lending an absinthe-and-bitters edge, rye-barrel warmth underneath. Structured and bitter-forward, not sweet.
How to Enjoy
1 part No. 4 + 4 parts rye whiskey, stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, lemon twist. Or a splash in sparkling wine for a champagne cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Rouge" mean?
The red color — from cochineal, a natural coloring, not artificial dye.
Is it really barrel-aged?
Yes — in Willett Family Reserve Rye Whiskey barrels.
Does it contain alcohol?
No — it's 0.0% ABV; you add the rye.
What's the ratio?
1 part mixer to 4 parts rye whiskey.
New Orleans, bottled — order Bittermilk No. 4 New Orleans Old Fashioned online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.