Scrappy's Lavender Bitters 5OZ

Scrappy's Lavender Bitters 5OZ is a small-batch, organic lavender bitters bottled at 50.8% ABV (101.6 proof) in a 5oz bottle. Widely recognized as the first commercially produced lavender bitters, this expression established an entirely new category within the cocktail bitters market and remains a benchmark for floral bitters.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50.8%  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Style: Floral / Lavender Bitters  |  Producer: Scrappy's Bitters (Miles Thomas)

Production & Heritage

Scrappy's Bitters was founded by Miles Thomas in Seattle, Washington, with a philosophy rooted in using whole, organic ingredients rather than oils, extracts, or artificial shortcuts. Every batch of Lavender Bitters is handcrafted in small quantities, incorporating organic lavender as the defining botanical alongside supporting spices. Fresh citrus is hand-zested for each production run, a labor-intensive step that contributes to the brightness and complexity that separates Scrappy's from mass-produced alternatives. As the originator of commercial lavender bitters, this expression effectively created a niche that numerous craft producers have since attempted to replicate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a rush of fresh and dried lavender, followed by violet and lilac undertones. Beneath the floral wave, subtle earthy spice notes—cardamom, gentian, and a hint of cumin—add unexpected depth.

Taste: On the palate, the lavender arrives sweet and clean before transitioning into a remarkably dry, intensely floral mid-palate. The bitterness builds gradually, supported by an almost alkali dryness and a backbone of earthy botanical spice that keeps the florals grounded and prevents any soapy quality.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with smooth bitterness and lingering dried lavender. A gentle herbal dryness and trace of gentian root carry through to the close.

How to Drink Scrappy's Lavender

A few dashes are all that's needed—lavender bitters are potent, so restraint pays dividends. Two to three dashes in a cocktail will provide pronounced floral character without overwhelming other ingredients.

• Lavender Collins: The bitters reinforce the gin's botanicals while adding a floral dimension that brightens the lemon and soda framework.
• French 75: A couple dashes layered into this champagne cocktail introduce an elegant herbal-floral complexity that complements the effervescence.
• Bee's Knees: The lavender pairs naturally with honey syrup and gin, deepening the drink's aromatic profile and adding a dry counterpoint to the sweetness.

Best For

• Home bartenders building a serious bitters collection beyond the basics
• Gifting to a cocktail enthusiast who appreciates unique, hard-to-replicate ingredients
• Craft cocktail bars looking to add verified floral depth to seasonal menus
• Experimenting with spring and summer cocktail recipes that call for botanical complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scrappy's Lavender taste like? Scrappy's Lavender Bitters delivers an intense, clean lavender flavor supported by earthy spices like cardamom and gentian, finishing with smooth bitterness and herbal dryness. It is sweet and floral on entry but remarkably dry and well-rounded overall.

How does Scrappy's Lavender compare to Angostura Aromatic Bitters? These serve fundamentally different roles: Angostura is a warm, spice-forward aromatic bitters used as a universal cocktail backbone, while Scrappy's Lavender is a specialty floral bitters designed to add specific lavender character. The two can complement each other in the same drink but are not interchangeable.

Is Scrappy's Lavender good for cocktails? Scrappy's Lavender Bitters is designed specifically for cocktail use, where just two or three dashes introduce pronounced floral complexity. Its high proof and concentrated flavor ensure it cuts through other ingredients without requiring excessive quantities.

Where is Scrappy's Lavender made? Scrappy's Lavender Bitters is handcrafted in Seattle, Washington, by Scrappy's Bitters, the company founded by Miles Thomas. All production is done in small batches using organic ingredients sourced for each run.

What foods pair well with Scrappy's Lavender? A few dashes work well in culinary applications: drizzled over fresh goat cheese with honey, added to lemon vinaigrettes for spring salads, stirred into berry compotes for desserts, mixed into sparkling water with a citrus twist as a non-alcoholic aperitif, or dashed into cream-based sauces for lamb dishes where lavender is a traditional herb pairing.

What sizes does Scrappy's Lavender come in? The standard retail size is 5oz (approximately 148ml), which is the most widely available format for Scrappy's Bitters.

Is Scrappy's Lavender worth the price? Scrappy's Lavender Bitters positions as a premium craft bitters, priced above mass-market options like Angostura but justified by its organic ingredients, hand-zested citrus, and small-batch production. Given that a 5oz bottle yields dozens of cocktails at two to three dashes per drink, the cost per serve is minimal.

Why Scrappy's Lavender?

Scrappy's didn't just make a lavender bitters—they invented the category. Before Miles Thomas brought this expression to market, commercial lavender bitters simply did not exist, and every competing product that followed owes a debt to this original. The commitment to organic ingredients and hand-zested citrus rather than oils or extracts produces a cleaner, more nuanced lavender profile than imitators that rely on shortcuts. At 50.8% ABV, the bitters carry enough intensity to stand up in spirit-forward cocktails, and the earthy spice backbone ensures the lavender reads as complex and dry rather than perfumed or one-dimensional.