It’s not even available for sale yet, but already Christos Kalaitzis’ new bitters line is reaping the kind of recognition a crafty bartender could only dream of.
Bitters by Christos, created by the spirits brand ambassador and mixologist for Central City Brewers & Distillers, just took home not one, not two, but three double gold awards at the prestigious San Diego Spirits Festival, the premiere West Coast celebration of spirits and cocktails. (Central City’s Lohin McKinnon Peated Whisky also won double gold.)
“It was the most awarded cocktail ingredient for 2018,” Kalaitzis says. “Also it’s the only Canadian bitter with three double gold medals in international spirits competition so far.”
His aromatic, rosemary and mole bitters all won double gold; he’s also producing cherry, orange and coffee flavours. He promises that they are “100 per cent handcrafted, hand bottled, made with real spices and herbs, non GMO, no artificial flavours or colouring. And,” he adds, “they’re perfect for cocktails and culinary purposes.”
Bitters by Christos will be available in early November; they will retail for a suggested price of $15 at Central City’s retail store in Surrey as well as select liquor stores. centralcitybrewing.com
The 11th annual San Diego Spirits Festival will be held August 24 to 25, 2019. For more info, visit sandiegospiritsfestival.com.
