Wine & Liqueuramaro-bitters

Cynar

Created in 1952 in Italy. The artichoke advertising ('even on the artichoke, life is dolce') became iconic. Adopted by the American craft cocktail movement circa 2010 as the 'surprising amaro' — the reveal ('it's made with artichoke') + the transformation ('now taste it in a Negroni') became a bartender's signature moment.

Flavor Profile

Bitter-Medicinal primary with Umami-Savory and Earth-Funk secondary. Earthy, vegetal, bittersweet. 'Artichoke doesn't just flavor it, it grounds it, pulls it toward food rather than dessert.' Swapping Cynar for Campari in a Negroni takes the drink from bright-bitter to deep-savory.

Key Producers

Standard

Cynar 70 Proof

16.5% ABV; the definitive Cynar

Specialty

Cynar 70

35% ABV; more spirit-like intensity; cocktail applications with more backbone

Italy; produced by Gruppo Campari; 16.5% ABV; primary flavoring agent: artichoke (carciofo in Italian; cynara scolymus, hence the name); the only amaro that bridges Bitter-Medicinal and Umami-Savory