Cynar Liqueur (70cl , 16.5%)

Cynar is an Italian aperitif liqueur made using 13 different plants. The main flavour is, in fact artichoke, and it gets its name “Cynar” from the Latin for artichoke “Cynara scolymus”. It has a bittersweet flavour, and it works well served with ice, soda and a slice of orange (very popular in Italy). It works well in cocktails made with Campari, where it can replace the Campari with great effect.

• Flavor Profile: Cynar has a rich, bittersweet taste with a complex herbal and vegetal character, rounded out by hints of dried fruit, dark chocolate, walnut, and a caramel smoothness. The distinctive flavor comes from natural substances, including “cynarine,” found in artichokes.
• Appearance: It has a dark amber-brown color with warm, reddish or coppery tones.
• Alcohol Content (ABV): The traditional version is typically 16.5% ABV (33 proof). A higher-proof version, Cynar 70 Proof, is also available for a bolder flavor in cocktails.
• Use: It is highly versatile and enjoyed in several ways:
  • As an aperitif (before a meal) to stimulate the appetite.
  • As a digestif (after a meal) to aid digestion, often served neat or on the rocks.
  • In cocktails, where it can replace other bitters like Campari in a Negroni or be used in modern classics like the “Little Italy” or “Cynar Spritz” (with tonic or soda water and a slice of orange).