Cynar is a popular Italian bitters worth adding to your collection! Here’s more about it and how to use it in cocktails.
Looking for the next best spirit to add to your collection? Try Cynar! This trendy Italian bitter liqueur (Amaro) is gaining ground in American mixology. Why? The bittersweet taste is full of nuances with intriguing notes of toffee, toffee and mint. It tastes great over ice or even better in a cocktail like a spritz or a negroni. And we have news for you: you’re probably saying it wrong!
What is Cynar?
Early is a bitter Italian liqueur made from 13 herbs and spices, including artichoke leaves. The name is derived from the scientific name of the artichoke (Cynara) and a light green artichoke in the logo. It is considered Italian amaro or bitter (amaro means “little bitter” in Italian). On the spectrum of amari From very bitter to very sweet, Cynar falls somewhere in the middle.
Cynar was invented in 1952 by an entrepreneur from Venice, Italy. Campari groupThe company that distributes Campari bought Cynar in 1995 and has been manufacturing and distributing it ever since.
How shall I put it? Pronounce early as “Ch-NAHR.”
How does Cynar taste?
Cynar is bittersweet, with hints of toffee, toffee and cinnamon and a bitter, grassy finish. It’s cuter than the others amari, although not as sweet as Aperol. It’s an approachable and easy-to-drink amaro. With its dark brown color, it looks like caramel amari like Meletti and Averna.
What is that ?
How much alcohol does Cynar have? It has 16.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a very low alcohol content. Compared to other amari, Cynar is at the bottom. For example, Aperol has the lowest alcohol content at 11% ABV, Campari 24% ABV and Fernet-Branca the highest at 40-45% ABV (the same level as whisky, rum, vodka and gin).
Is there a replacement for Cynar? Try Meletti, Amaro Nonino or Amaro Averna. They are similar but have subtle differences in taste. Avoid Montenegro (rose flavored) or Fernet-Branca or Campari as they are way too bitter. We recommend finding the original if possible!
Why we love it
Cynar is packed with nuanced botanical flavors and we’re always ready for another Amari to add to our collection! It is an excellent low-alcohol liqueur. It’s great in a spritz or simply diluted with sparkling water. Even better, try the Cynar cocktails below: We like the Cynar Negroni even better as a classic.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liqueurs, Cynar average price. A 750ml bottle costs about $20.
The most popular Cynar cocktails
Drink Cynar neat or on the rocks as an aperitif. It’s also fantastic in cocktail recipes. Don’t want to follow a recipe? Mix it with sparkling water to make a makeshift vaporizer. Or try these favorite cocktails:
This intriguing twist on the Negroni features Cynar, with hints of toffee, toffee, and a bitter, herbaceous finish. This makes for a smooth and more interesting Negroni in our opinion! It’s a twist on the classic Negroni, a classic cocktail invented in Italy in the 1920s.
Ingredients: Early, gin and sweet vermouth
Get the recipe
The Cynar Spritz is a cousin of the classic cocktail, the Aperol Spritz or Venetian splashes. It contains the famous Italian bitter liqueur for a sparkling, bittersweet and refreshing drink. The Cynar Spritz uses Cynar instead of Aperol!
Ingredients: Early, prosecco, mineral water
Get the recipe
Do you like a good Manhattan? Here’s a nifty twist with this new trendy Amaro: Bitter Giuseppe, aka Cynar Manhattan! Cynar’s use in a Manhattan gives the classic an intriguing twist with hints of bitter herbs, toffee and toffee.
Ingredients: Cynar, Sweet Vermouth, Lemon Juice, Orange Bitters
Get the recipe
The description
The Cynar Negroni is an intriguing twist on the classic with this Italian liqueur! It gives it a bitter, lemony and sweet taste.
- 1 ounce*Gin
- 1 ounce sweet or semi-sweet red vermouth
- 1 ounce Early
- Ice to serve (try clear ice!)
- For garnish: lemon zest
- Mix gin, sweet vermouth, and cynar in a cocktail glass (or other glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful of ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
- Put ice in a lowball glass and strain the drink into the glass.
- Use a knife to remove a 1 inch wide strip of lemon zest. Squeeze the lemon zest into the drink to release the oils. Carefully run the zest around the rim of the glass, then place in the glass and serve.
Remarks
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Category: drink
- Method: shakes
- Kitchen: cocktails
- Diet: vegan
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