The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Bitters with El Guapo

Cocktails Distilled

When we think about Dry January or making any non-alcoholic cocktails, we usually think about the spirits or liqueurs that we use in drinks. But how often do you think about the bitters?

Coming in tiny little bottles, where you might only use a drop or two, it's easy to forget that bitters are technically alcohol. Most bitters commonly on the market sit around 35-45% ABV, and although you are only using a small amount, this can derail your non-alcoholic efforts.

So, understandably, non-alcoholic bitters brands are becoming more and more popular.

One such brand is the New Orleans-based El Guapo. also makes non-alcoholic mixers, syrups and RTDs. All-natural, with no-GMO ingredients, and female-led, the brand also makes non-alcoholic mixers, syrups and RTDs.

We talk to El Guapo founder Christa Cotton about creating non-alc bitters, incorporating flavours and what it means to straddle the world of cocktails and non-alc.

Rozdziały

1. The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Bitters with El Guapo (00:00:00)

2. Now you actually come from a distilling background. What made you choose to take your company down the non-alcoholic route? (00:02:01)

3. Do you think most people actually do realize that bitters contain alcohol? (00:03:46)

4. There must be a lot of education that would have to come into what you're doing to make sure that people do understand that you're alcohol-free? (00:05:08)

5. Now you mentioned that you use glycerol. How different is it to make bitters without alcohol, and what's the process that you kind of go through? (00:05:59)

6. You recently released your barrel-aged vanilla. Tell us a little bit about that. (00:07:39)

7. Can I ask so when you said that you're aging in rum barrels, doesn't that interfere with the non-alcoholic aspect? (00:10:06)

8. Now with something like Barrel-Aged Vanilla, how do you suggest that people use it? (00:11:09)

9. Do you think having so many flavours in your bitters range kind of takes that guesswork away? (00:13:38)

10. Now you're about to release fig leaf bitters. Where did the idea for that come from? (00:17:05)

11. What sort of drinks will work well with the Fig Leaf Bitters? (00:19:07)

12. Now let's talk a little bit about the RTD range. Are you launching these to, as we were saying before, eliminate that sense of guesswork? (00:20:16)

13. So if you're using your bitters and soda, then theoretically people could make these flavors at home. (00:22:27)

14. You also sell mixers and syrups. Which part of the catalogue has proved the most popular? (00:24:00)

15. Now you sound like you've got a lot in the pipeline. Where do you see El Guapo in the future? (00:26:06)

16. What do you want people to take away from using your products? (00:27:33)

17. Now you mentioned earlier that low-alcoholic has become incredibly trendy at the moment. What do you see as the future for non-alcohol? (00:29:32)

18. Now if people want to experiment with your brand. Where are the products available? (00:30:01)