The News
Fee Brothers, a family-owned flavor house, announced the launch of three water-soluble Fat Washes in the U.S. on June 1, with international availability this fall. The products—bacon, roasted duck, and browned butter—are designed to allow bars to add depth and texture to cocktails without the traditional fat-washing process. The company's president and CEO, Jon Spacher, mentioned he uses the product in almost all his cocktails.
When bars open for the night, they’re hunting tools that trim prep time without cutting flavor or margin. Fee Brothers has introduced a water‑soluble fat wash—available in bacon, duck, and butter flavors—that promises just that. The release says it will be available to U.S. distributors on June 1 and will debut in the EU at Bar Convent Berlin in October.
The company’s history suggests it can support a premium offering. Founded in 1864, Fee Brothers is now a fifth‑generation family business headquartered on Rochester Avenue in Rochester. Over the past six years its revenue has tripled while the workforce grew from 12 to 50 employees. That growth trajectory points to responsible scaling, but also means any new product must justify a premium price point.
The wash comes in a 5‑oz bottle that fits neatly in a bar’s back‑bar drawer and carries a three‑year shelf life, so it doesn’t require freezer space or extra cleaning. The water‑soluble formulation eliminates the need for oil‑based washes that can leave residue and demand more labor. That operational efficiency could be a selling point in distributor conversations.
For distributors, the product should be treated as an add‑on rather than a core SKU. A focused rollout—starting with a handful of high‑volume, high‑margin accounts—will let them gauge whether the wash can be priced at a level that covers its cost while appealing to patrons willing to pay for flavor sophistication. If bars can charge a premium for cocktails featuring the wash without eroding their overall margin, a broader push could follow; otherwise it will stay a niche specialty.
For on‑prem operators, the real play is in menu engineering. Because the wash is water‑soluble, bartenders can incorporate savory elements—think bacon‑infused gin or duck‑butter‑scented bourbon—without the time‑consuming step of chilling an oil‑based wash. In a bar that already serves high‑volume cocktails, this can shave minutes off prep and reduce waste from leftover washes. Standard pubs with limited cocktail menus might find the cost outweighs the benefit; in those settings it would be wiser to reserve the product for special events or tasting nights where patrons expect something out of the ordinary.
The EU debut at Bar Convent Berlin signals that Fee Brothers is positioning the wash as a premium, experiential component rather than a mass‑market commodity. Retail buyers should note that the launch aligns with the 6.7 % growth in the premium spirits segment, indicating room for high‑price, high‑quality flavor enhancers. Still, the global cocktail mixers market—valued at $2.8 billion in 2023 and projected to grow modestly—does not point to an explosive boom; it signals steadiness rather than rapid expansion.
The water‑soluble fat wash is a tactical tool for bars already operating on a sophisticated cocktail level and willing to experiment with premium add‑ons. Distributors should treat it as niche, testing its appeal in select accounts before scaling. The key metric will be whether the wash’s operational efficiency translates into higher per‑drink margin; otherwise it risks becoming another costly novelty that drains inventory without measurable value.
Original Press Release
Debuting in the U.S. June 1, with international availability this fall
ROCHESTER, NY — Fee Brothers, the fifth-generation, family-owned flavor house, is introducing a first-of-its-kind line of water-soluble Fat Washes designed to make savory cocktails faster, more consistent, and easier for bars of all sizes to execute. The new line launches in three flavors—bacon, roasted duck, and browned butter—giving bartenders a simple, shelf-stable way to add depth, aroma, and velvety mouthfeel without the traditional, time-intensive fat-washing process.
“Our personal excitement for savory cocktails had us fat washing spirits at home,” said Jon Spacher, Fee Brothers president and CEO. “When we figured out how to get the same flavors and mouthfeel in a water-soluble format, it was a no-brainer to share this miracle with the world! I’m already using this in almost all my cocktails.”
Fat washing has long been a favorite technique for bartenders looking to add richness and complexity to cocktails, but the process can take hours or days and often requires freezer space, straining, and product loss. Fee Brothers Fat Wash was developed to remove those barriers while preserving the flavor and texture bartenders love. Each flavor expresses its own savory signature: bacon delivers delicious umami; roasted duck offers a rich, clean, meaty profile; and browned butter brings nutty, savory-sweet warmth that enhances both classic and modern builds.
Because the line is water-soluble, Fee Brothers Fat Wash integrates seamlessly into cocktails without oiliness or separation. A few dashes are all that’s needed to add weight and roundness on the palate, creating a velvety mouthfeel that feels luxurious. The goal is to give bartenders a new tool that supports creativity while keeping service smooth and efficient.
As savory cocktails continue to grow in popularity, bars are looking for ways to offer these flavors without adding new labor steps or slowing down service. Fee Brothers Fat Washes were designed with that reality in mind. By eliminating the need for advance prep, the line allows bars to introduce savory cocktails to high-volume service without tying up freezer space or dedicating staff time to multi-stage infusions. The result is a more accessible way to bring savory notes to the menu, whether for a single signature drink or a full lineup of fat-washed classics.
Operational efficiency was a key focus during development. Because the formula is standardized, bars can deliver consistent flavor and texture across shifts and locations. This innovation helps reduce ingredient and preparation costs while providing an opportunity to increase margins by not having to fat wash an entire bottle of spirits. The reduction in prep time and waste also supports stronger margins, giving bars a practical path to offering savory cocktails at a premium, more consistently.
All three flavors of Fee Brothers Fat Wash will be available in 5-oz bottles designed for dash-by-dash application, making it a practical addition to any back bar or cocktail program. The line is water-based, gluten-free, and formulated for flavor stability. When stored properly, Fat Wash has a recommended shelf life of three years from the date of manufacture.
“As a fifth-generation company, we’re proud to innovate at the intersection of our industry passion and listening to mixologists’ needs,” said Benn Fee Spacher, Fee Brothers chief operating officer. “We hope to make our ancestors proud with this first-to-market product.”
The U.S. debut of the new product line is June 1, with broader availability through distributors and select online retailers to follow. The European Union market debut will be in October at Bar Convent Berlin, an international trade fair for the bar and beverage industry. Fee Brothers expects strong interest from both craft cocktail bars and high-volume venues looking to expand their savory offerings without adding operational complexity.
Fee Brothers
Founded in 1864, Fee Brothers is a fifth-generation, family-owned company based in Rochester, New York, crafting premium bitters, botanical waters, mixes, brines, and cordial syrups. Trusted by bartenders and beverage professionals around the world, Fee Brothers combines craftsmanship, consistency, and innovation to elevate the art of drink making. For more information, visit feebrothers.com.
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Source: BevNET