Root and Branch — A long rum drink built on dandelion and burdock bitters, poured at the volume the flavour deserves

Root and Branch

A long rum drink built on dandelion and burdock bitters, poured at the volume the flavour deserves

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 6 dashesDandelion & Burdock Bitters
    Earthy root bitters, used at volume
    Substitute: Any rooty or gentian-forward bitters
  • 4 ozSoda Water
    Ice-cold, added last
  • 2 ozAged Rum
    A dry aged rum, not a spiced one
    Substitute: Rye whiskey for a drier glass
  • 1/2 ozDemerara Syrup
    Rich 2:1
    Substitute: Simple syrup, with a little more of it

Instructions

  1. Fill a highball with ice and add 2 oz aged rum and 1/2 oz demerara syrup
  2. Add 6 dashes dandelion and burdock bitters
  3. Top with 4 oz cold soda, stir once and garnish with a lemon twist

Technique Notes

Six dashes is not a typo. Root bitters are gentler than aromatic ones and a standard two-dash pour disappears entirely under soda, which is how this style ends up tasting of nothing.

Why the Root and Branch Works

Dandelion, burdock and gentian all read as earth rather than fruit, and earth needs either sugar or bubbles to become a drink. This has both. Aged rum supplies the caramel the roots lean on, and the soda keeps a heavy set of flavours from settling into syrup.