Bitter Love: A Story of Passion and Turmoil
Amor y Amargo: The Heart of Bitter Cocktails in New York City's East Village
In the heart of New York City's vibrant East Village, a tiny bar named Amor y Amargo has made a significant impact on the cocktail world. Known for its dedication to bitters and amari, Amor y Amargo has been a pioneer in the craft cocktail industry, elevating these ingredients from mere mixers to the centerpiece of sophisticated drinks.
The bar, which opened last March, is a partnership between the Glassers and Derossi. Derossi, who owns the bar as part of his East Village saloon empire, played a crucial role in its conception. However, due to legal restrictions, the Glassers are not the official owners of the bar. Instead, they manage it in partnership with Derossi, operating under the name Amor y Amargo.
At the helm of Amor y Amargo are Avery and Janet Glasser, a husband-and-wife team famous for their work in the cocktail industry. The Glassers are also the founders of Bittermens, Inc., the third-largest bitters maker in America. Their expertise in bitters and amari is evident in the bar's unique and innovative cocktail menu.
Amor y Amargo's ambiance is a blend between a tapas bar and a cozy cocktail cocoon, accommodating 10 to 15 guests at a time. The bar's most popular drink is the house Gin & Tonic, which features Commonwealth "tonic cordial", Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters, Maraschino liqueur, soda water, and gin. This cocktail was even named one of Time Out New York's 100 Best Dishes and Drinks of 2011.
The bar's influence extends beyond its walls. Key bartenders associated with Amor y Amargo, such as Bruce Shultz and Noah Green, have created notable cocktail menus that continue to reflect the bar’s influence. Their work can be seen in collaborations with other venues like the Soda Club, where they reimagine Italian signature cocktails with bold and unexpected twists, integrating amaro and bitter profiles innovatively.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, Amor y Amargo has managed to sustain its presence and popularity, reopening in its original location to continue hosting guests and serving their famed cocktails. Its continued existence is bittersweet, as the bar may shutter at any time, adding an air of ephemerality to its charm.
In recent times, executives from Japanese whiskey maker Suntory and French Cognac producer Royer have paid a visit to Amor y Amargo, demonstrating the bar's prestige within the industry. The Suntory exec even requested Avery's opinion on a yet-unreleased liqueur, further highlighting the bar's influence and expertise.
Amor y Amargo is often referred to as the "bitters mothership", a testament to its significant role in the cocktail renaissance and its impact on modern bartending trends, particularly within New York City's thriving cocktail culture. The bar's continued existence is a reminder of its lasting impact and dedicated following within the NYC cocktail scene.
The photo credit for this article is Susanna Blavarg.
[1] Time Out New York. (2011). 100 Best Dishes and Drinks of 2011. Retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/100-best-dishes-and-drinks-of-2011 [5] Eater NY. (2013). Amor y Amargo, the Bitters Mothership. Retrieved from https://ny.eater.com/2013/10/29/6941301/amor-y-amargo-the-bitters-mothership
In the realm of entrepreneurship and finance, the Glassers and Derossi, with their partnership in Amor y Amargo, have profoundly impacted the food-and-drink business, especially the cocktail industry of New York City. Their innovative bar, known as the "bitters mothership," has revolutionized the way bitters and amari are perceived and utilized in cocktails, elevating them from simple mixers to the centerpiece of sophisticated drinks.
