What?…more Orange Bitters…..!
by James Viguerie
20 February 2014
I think Orange bitters must have been one of the most common varieties produced. I took a look and tried to find the oldest brand of Orange bitters I could. Most of what I found made reference in general to Orange bitters. However, a few, referenced specific manufacturers. More research is needed. Some high lights:
The “1862 How to Mix Drinks” has an interesting advertisement on page 245 for Pierre Lacour’s book on how to make various liquors including bitters. I wonder if he had any connection to Louis Lacour of San Francisco and his bitters (L3 in Bitters Bottles)?
An 1862 book about Benjamin Franklin has a reference to him being offered “Amontillado and a teaspoonful of Orange Bitters”.
An 1862 Book “International exhibition” mentions several different types of Orange bitters.
The 1862 “Official Catalogue: Industrial department” lists some potential new bitters such as G. H. G. Trede Anti-cholera and Stomach Bitters, and G. Dupe, Nova Scotia – Cider and Bitters.
Here is my list of early mention of Orange bitters in books and some newspapers:
1764: An Essay on the More Common West-India Diseases; and the Remedies which that …
Mention of Orange bitters in An Essay on the More Common West-India Diseases; and the Remedies which that Country Itself Produces. … By a Physician in the West-Indies, 1764
1824: Tariff, or, Rates of duties, payable after the 30th of June, 1824, on all … (Orange is only Bitters listed)
Orange Bitters Tariff – Tariff, or, Rates of duties, payable after the 30th of June, 1824, on all goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States of America in American vessels, under the act passed May 22d, 1824 entitled”, 1824
1825: The art and practice of boxing; or, Scientific mode of attack and defence …
Mentions Hollands, Seville orange bitters – recommended for boxers?? (Orange is only Bitters listed)
Seville Orange bitters: The art and practice of boxing; or, Scientific mode of attack and defence … displayed in an easy manner, under the superintendence of a celebrated pugilist, 1825
1837: The Shipmaster’s Assistant, and Commercial Digest: Containing Information …
(Orange is only the bitters listed)
Orange bitters…free – The Shipmaster’s Assistant, and Commercial Digest, 1837
1842: The New American Tariff; Passed 30th Aug., 1842, Alphabetically Arranged …
(Orange is the only Bitters listed)
Orange Bitters: The New American Tariff; Passed 30th Aug., 1842
1859: Hawaii Newspaper – Polynesian – Cases of Orange Bitters arrived in Hawaii on the Sea Nymph.
Cases of Orange Bitters arrived in Hawaii on the Sea Nymph in Hawaiian Newspaper – Polynesian – 1859
Orange bitters and Sachem bitters (could it be?) mentioned – The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, November 10, 1859
1861: (Melbourne Australia) Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition, 1861: with prefatory essays …
(Some Orange bitters were exhibited, One was by O. G. Dixon of Melbourne. Also James Dickson, and by Prevot and Co, also from Melbourne. )
Mention of Orange Bitters by James Dixon and Prevot and Co., both from Melbourne – Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition, 1861
1861: Corporation General and Trades Directory of Birmingham … and Wolverhampton
(Wadsworth and Co. Birmingham, England. manufacturers of Orange Bitters)
Wadsworth and Co. Birmingham, England. manufacturers of Orange Bitters – Corporation General and Trades Directory of Birmingham … and Wolverhampton, 1861
1862: How to Mix Drinks: Or, The Bon-vivant’s Companion, Containing Clear and …
(mentions English, Aromatic, Essence, Hamburg, Orange, Spanish, Stomach, Stoughton, Bogart’s, – Jerry Thomas [author, pic pg 3?] own Decanter Bitters, , ** page 245 is advertisement for Pierre Lacour’s book on how to make various liquors including bitters (see below).
How to Mix Drinks: Page 245 is advertisement for Pierre Lacour’s book on how to make various liquors including orange bitters, 1862
1862: International exhibition, 1862. Refreshment departments. A catalogue of the …
Splendid Dutch Liqueurs – Orange Bitters, also French Orange Bitters (mentions these bitters: American, Vermouth, Cassis, Stoughton, Orange, Wine and O. ??? Bitters)
Mentions Orange Bitters – International exhibition, 1862
Mentions French Orange Bitters – International exhibition, 1862
1862: Young Benjamin Franklin: Or, The Right Road Through Life by Henry Mayhew
Reference to an offer of Amontillado and a teaspoonful of Orange Bitters to Ben Franklin.
Reference to an offer of Amontillado and a teaspoonful of Orange Bitters to Ben Franklin – Young Benjamin Franklin: Or, The Right Road Through Life, 1862
1862: Official Catalogue: Industrial department
P. G. Dixon (Melbourne) is listed as selling Orange Bitters, also advertisement for P. Bicker Caarten & Co….selling Curacao, Anisette, Cherry Brandy, Stoughton and Orange Bitters.
Also listed as Catalan & Co. Venezuela – Bitters from Maracaibo. Syers, Braach & Co, Venezuela Angostura Bitters. Warurg & Co, Devonshire Angostura Bitters. G. H. G. Trede Anti-cholera and Stomach Bitters. DAVID Bitters – Orleans France. G. Dupe, Nova Scotia – Cider and Bitters.
P. G. Dixon (Melbourne) is listed as selling Orange Bitters – Official Catalogue: Industrial department, 1862
Curacao and Orange Bitters – Official Catalogue: Industrial department, 1862
1863: The New Zealand Gold Finder and Gold Buyers ‘Ready Reckoner, Etc. by Joseph Mackay
Butement Bros, Dunedin (New Zealand?) list an Orange Bitters in an advertisement (Orange is only Bitters listed)
Butement Bros, Dunedin (New Zealand?) list an Orange Bitters in an advertisement – The New Zealand Gold Finder and Gold Buyers ‘Ready Reckoner, Etc., 1863
1864: British & Foreign Spirits: Their History, Manufacture, Properties, Etc. (also mentions Wormwood Bitters)
“Prepared from dry Seville orange peel, caraway and coriander seeds, steeped in strong spirit until a strong tincture is produced. It is then slightly sweetened and made up in the usual manner. This bitters is often blended with Sherry, and sold with a good profit as Sherry Bitters. It I s a custom with some, especially commercial gentleman, to take a glass before dinner as a whet to the appetite.”
Orange Bitters: “Prepared from dry Seville orange peel,… – British & Foreign Spirits: Their History, Manufacture, Properties, Etc. – 1864
1864: A History of American Manufactures from 1608 to 1860: Exhibiting the Origin …
(only has a mention of Orange Bitters in tariffs.)
Mention of Orange Bitters in tariffs – A History of American Manufactures from 1608 to 1860: Exhibiting the Origin, 1864
Mamma’s Recipes for Keeping Papa Home – Herdrich’s Bitters
Grandfather’s Perfect Orange Bitters
Bernard’s Orange Bitters and a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland
Pale Orange Bitters and PJ Murray’s Ghost
Mack’s Orange Tonic Bitters – a sweet bitters from Orlando
California Aromatic Orange Bitters – San Francisco
Fine Aromatic Orange Stomach Bitters – Berry, Demoville & Co. – Nashville
Roped Squares – Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters
