Cynar: Cocktails, Collectibles and History

_{Image above: Cynar bottle photographed by lisatozzi on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic}

Cynar was first introduced onto the market in 1952, and is part of the Italian family of alcoholic beverages known as Amaro. Amaro is Italian for "bitter", and so these are all herbal liquers with a bitter flavor, typically enjoyed as an after-dinner "digestif".

Cynar is at the low range of alcohol content for an Amaro, only 16.5%, making it easy to drink even straight with its bittersweet flavor. It is made from a blend of 13 different herbs and plants, with the predominant one being the artichoke—hence its name (artichoke = Cynara scolymus) and distinctive label.

Cynar is especially popular in Italy, Brazil and Switzerland. However American bartenders and mixologists are increasingly discovering the delights of using Cynar in lots of different cocktail preparations.

Of course, you don't have to be an expert bartender to enjoy Cynar yourself. If it's too strong for you to drink straight, try mixing it simply with some sparkling water or club soda; it's a refreshing alternative to cola and similar in taste (to me) to a strong iced tea. In Switzerland and Germany, orange juice and Cynar is a common combination. You can also try it instead of Campari in classic cocktails like the Negroni or the Spritz.

Enjoyed either before or after dinner, Cynar is a lovely liquer and one all cocktail enthusiasts should be sure to give a try.

Italian television ads for Cynar featuring Ernesto Calindri were key in building the brand's lasting popularity in the country. Enjoy some of them today thanks to YouTube!