Cynar

Hailing from Padua, Italy, Cynar is a relatively young classic in the world of amari, first introduced in 1952 by Angelo Dalle Molle. It quickly gained popularity, partly thanks to memorable Italian television advertising featuring actor Ernesto Calindri. Cynar is renowned for its distinctive bittersweet flavor, derived from a secret blend of 13 herbs and plants, with artichoke (Cynara scolymus) being the most famous, lending the liqueur its name. Though artichoke is a key botanical, the spirit itself doesn't predominantly taste of it, offering a more complex, vegetal, and subtly sweet profile that has made it a beloved, versatile ingredient among bartenders worldwide. Now part of the Campari Group, Cynar is notable for its relatively low alcohol content (16.5% ABV) and its unique characteristic of containing cynarin, a compound found in artichokes that can make subsequent sips or bites taste sweeter.

Cynar, a distinctive artichoke-based amaro, brings a compelling bittersweet and vegetal complexity to the party. It shines in stirred, spirit-forward cocktails like a negroni variation, adding earthy depth, orlengthened with soda for a refreshing, lower-ABV option that’s anything but boring.

Cynar presents an intriguing herbal bouquet, leading to a bittersweet palate where vegetal notes and a hint of caramel mingle. The finish is pleasantly bitter, with a lingering earthy and slightly medicinal character.