Cynar
Encyclopedia
Aperitif
Apéritifs and digestifs are alcoholic drinks that are normally served with meals.-Apéritifs:An apéritif is usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This contrasts with digestifs, which are served after a meal for the purpose of aiding digestion...
liqueur
Liqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
made from 13 herbs and plants. Predominant amongst these is the artichoke
Artichoke
-Plants:* Globe artichoke, a partially edible perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean* Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower with an edible tuber...
(Cynara scolymus), from which the drink derives its name. Cynar is dark brown in color, has a bittersweet flavor, and its strength is 33 proof (16.5% alcohol).
Cynar can be drunk as either an aperitif (generally over ice), or as a cocktail (mixed with soda water
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is water into which carbon dioxide gas under pressure has been dissolved, a process that causes the water to become effervescent....
and lemon or orange slice, or with cola
Cola
Cola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
, tonic water
Tonic water
Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic water usually now has a significantly lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctively bitter taste...
, or bitter lemon soda
Bitter lemon
Bitter lemon is a carbonated soft drink flavoured with quinine and lemon.-The drink:The signature bitter taste is produced by a combination of the quinine and the lemon pith used in manufacturing the drink. The principal difference between tonic water and bitter lemon is the addition of lemon juice...
). Europeans often mix it with orange juice, especially in Switzerland where Cynar and orange juice is a very popular combination. A variation of the Negroni cocktail uses Cynar in place of Campari
Campari
Campari is an alcoholic apéritif obtained from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is a bitters characterized by its dark red color....
. Because of its artichoke component, Cynar is also regarded as a digestive.
Since 1995 Cynar has been manufactured and distributed by the Campari Group
Campari Group
Gruppo Campari is an Italian-based multinational producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The group holds a portfolio of over 40 brands marketed and distributed in more than 190 countries...
.