Each year, finalists from the World Class Bartender of the Year competition participate in the Community Hero Initiative where they share their passionate with the community. This year, 2024 World Class US Bartender of the Year, Jonathan Stanyard, shares his love of bitters, emphasizing the importance of using every ingredient to its fullest potential.

Bitters are a crucial ingredient that can add balance, complexity, and depth to a cocktail, significantly enhancing its flavor profile. Bartenders often use bitters to accentuate flavors without overpowering the drink, sometimes misting them across the top with an atomizer. For those who prefer a more pronounced taste, larger quantities of bitters can be used to create a bitters-forward cocktail.

Exploring different flavor profiles in bitters development is even more rewarding when you use ingredients from local farmers. Whether you're at a stand-alone venue or a restaurant, incorporating fruit and vegetable scraps is an excellent way to reduce waste while adding unique flavors to your cocktails. Peels, stems, and rinds from fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, as well as leftover herbs and vegetable trimmings, can infuse your bitters with complex notes. These often-discarded ingredients not only enhance the depth and character of your bitters but also maximize the use of every part of the produce, supporting sustainable kitchen practices.