Born in 1796, Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, later known as Dr. Johann Siegert, emerged as a trailblazer in the bitters industry. Originally from Germany, he settled in Angostura, Venezuela, in 1820 to serve as the Surgeon General of Simón Bolívar's armies. By 1824, Dr. Siegert perfected the formula for "Amargo Aromatico" initially a medical elixir for soldiers. Exporting Angostura aromatic bitters to England, the Caribbean, and the USA, Dr. Siegert capitalised on the burgeoning cocktail culture that coincided with the Golden Age of the Cocktail. Despite the challenges posed by the Pure Food & Drug Act in 1906, Angostura aromatic bitters remained robust, evolving to meet the times. The brand continued its ascent, earning accolades and royal appointments, even as the cocktail landscape transformed with events like Prohibition and the rise of Tiki culture.
In 1921, amidst a changing world, Angostura Bitters (Dr. J.G.B Siegert & Sons) Limited was established. Through the decades, Angostura aromatic bitters maintained its prominence, navigating cultural shifts and culinary adaptations. The 1980s witnessed a global bitters revival, with Angostura playing a pivotal role in the resurgence of vintage cocktail recipes. The brand's expansion into orange bitters and the launch of Amaro di Angostura in 2014 marked milestones in its almost two-century legacy. Recognised as the world's top-selling and trending bitters, Angostura continues to be a driving force in the cocktail renaissance, winning prestigious awards and captivating the taste buds of discerning consumers worldwide.