French Laundry alum debut alcohol-free bitters

Ian and Carly Blessing, former sommeliers of the acclaimed Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry, have created a zero-alcohol bitters range featuring three flavours.

The husband-and-wife duo gave up alcohol after becoming parents, and together embarked upon founding All the Bitter, a zero-ABV bitters brand 'rooted in health'. “Mindfulness, wellbeing, inclusion, and tasty drinks for everyone – that is our mission,” said Ian Blessing. “Designed to lift your spirits, All The Bitter is in a category of its own." Each product contains dandelion root, burdock, lemon balm and milk thistle seed, and the brand aims to pay homage to bitters' history as a medicinal, daily tonic. The three flavours to be released include: Aromatic, a bold and spicy liquid loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, with a backbone of gentian root; Orange, made with three types of orange peel, plus coriander, cardamom and lemon balm for a zesty and spicy taste; and New Orleans, which is made up of flavours of anise, tart cherry, hibiscus and rosehip. “Potent and classically inspired, our bitters bring flavour and function together like never before. It’s not about what has been taken out, but what has been put into our bitters," Ian added. The series is organic, crafted with wild foraged ingredients, and free from artificial flavours, preservatives and colours. All The Bitter is said to be packed with two to three times the amount of raw botanicals than traditional alcoholic bitters. The company has pledged to donate 3% of all purchases of All The Bitter to organisations supporting causes chosen by the founders, and 1% of annual sales will be put towards environmental-based organisations. The line is expected to launch in early 2022, with a website to come. For more news in the low-and-no category, check out the results of our Low & No Masters 2022 competition.