Tag Archives: Cynar

Campari & Cynar Potable Bitter Cocktails

Posted on March 15, 2013 | Comments Off

Time to celebrate! March 16 is National Artichoke Heart Day!

Dashes, splashes and dabs of bitters have become quite the growing trend in cocktails. Bitters add the faintest hint of nuance to drinks beyond garnishing. Flavors meld together in balanced harmony. Reluctant flavors that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle are given a breath of life by a few robust drops of precise flavor essence. But the small batch specialty bottles of bitters wafting about on back bars and marinating in mason jars with secret recipes aren’t the only bitters mixing magical cocktails.

The flip side to the pungent world of bitters is the potable or drinkable one. Campari is a well-known potable bitter used often in the classic Negroni. Cynar is another. Cynar is a complex Italian digestif often associated with the artichokes it is made from. It contains great depth of flavor from the many botanicals included in the creation process, making it an incredibly complex spirit to work with in cocktails. It works exceedingly well with citrus such as orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemon flavors. The richness of flavor is versatile enough to balance well whether you’re a gin or bourbon fan. Don’t let the category of potable bitter fool you. This isn’t unpleasant bitterness. There’s sweetness, spice, depth and strength of character in the spirit.

The Picket Fence – Ba’sik, Brooklyn

1 ounce Flor de Cana 7 Year Rum

3/4 ounce Cynar

1/2 ounce Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Amer Mousseux – Bouchon, Yountville, CA

1 ounce Cynar

1/2 ounce Campari

1/2 ounce Fresh Orange Juice

3 ounces Brut Champagne

Orange Twist

Combine Cynar, Campari and juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist.

Cocktail recipes sponsored by representatives of Campari America. @CampariAmerica on Twitter – Campari America on Facebook

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays, Sponsored Posts

Tagged Amer Mousseux, Campari, Campari America, Champagne, Cynar, Flor de Cana Rum, Fresh Lime, National Artichoke Heart Day, Orange Juice, Potable Bitters, Rum, Simple Syrup, The Picket Fence

Bitterly Twisted

Posted on November 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

Bitterly Twisted – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Whiskey or Bourbon

1-1/2 measure Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

1/2 measure Artichoke Liqueur (Cynar)

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Grapefruit Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grapefruit twist.

National Artichoke Heart Day celebrates the artichoke.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Corporate Mixology, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Bitterly Twisted, Bourbon, Cynar, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Bitters, Whiskey

Must Try Classic Cocktail Alternatives

Posted on June 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

This Manhattan style cocktail contains definite flavor of dry vermouth spilling into the flavor palate. Would perhaps benefit by switching Heering Cherry Liqueur for Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur in my opinion as the Luxardo washes a bit too perfumy in this particular cocktail. Though the flavors meld together nicely the longer the drink sits in the glass. Cynar rather nice fit for this version. Might like hint more, but that is only due to my fascination with the artichoke spirit. Definite must try for bourbon enthusiasts and Manhattan cocktail lovers.

Bensonhurst

2 measures Bourbon

1 measure Dry Vermouth

1/2 measure Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1/4 measure Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to thoroughly chill. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Holiday that celebrates the artichoke: National Artichoke Heart Day, March 16

Bensonhurst is a cocktail descendent of the Brooklyn Cocktail which calls for Amer Picon, a rare liqueur. This original adaptation utilizes Cynar. Named for a tough Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn. The original Bensonhurst version below is created by Chad Solomon of Cuffs and Buttons.

Bensonhurst

2 measures Rye

1 measure Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth

2 measures Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1 teaspoon Cynar

Without Garnish

Amer Picon is a French aperitif with bitter sweet flavors primarily highlighted as herbal and orange.

Brooklyn Cocktail

1-1/2 measure Rye

1/2 measure Dry Vermouth

1/4 measure Maraschino Liqueur

1/4 measure Amer Picon

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Another variation is the Brooklyn which utilizes Canadian Whisky rather than Rye or Bourbon.

Brooklyn

2 measures Canadian Club Whisky

1 measure Dry Vermouth

Dash Amer Picon

Dash Maraschino Liqueur

Lemon Twist Garnish – Optional

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with optional lemon twist.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Amer Picon, Artichoke Liqueur, Bensonhurst, Bourbon, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Cocktail, Canadian Club Whisky, Chad Solomon, Cherry Heering Liqueur, Cynar, Dry Vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Manhattan, Rye, Whiskey

Variation on a Classic: Cinnabar Negroni

Posted on July 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

It comes as no surprise the classic Negroni is among the highest of favorite classic cocktails on The Intoxicologist site. This classic has been stirred, shaken and built in various forms many times over with assorted spirits, aperitifs and inclusion of champagne topper.

Another slight remake of this delicious classic recipe appears in the New Classic Cocktails book by Gary Regan. The book contains detail about how the recipe creation came about at the hand of Jason MacDonald, head bartender of Cinnabar in Los Angeles. There is an extreme love for Campari running amok at Cinnabar, so a Negroni remake sounds like an obvious choice for cocktail conversion.

Cinnabar Negroni

2 parts Campari

1 part London Dry Gin

1 part Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Orange Slice Garnish

Place ice in an old fashioned glass. Build cocktail in order given. Stir. Garnish with orange slice.

First confession – though Jason created this version with Campari, my love for Cynar won out and I immediately substituted Cynar for Campari to start. Though this version of the classic Negroni flavors the tongue sweeter than I usually fancy, it overwhelms with such delicious zest and zing. The sweet to bitter balance combines in rhythmic dance cohesively. Flourishing. Rich. Divine. I’ll have another please. Oh, and don’t forget to nibble the Cinnabar Negroni soaked orange slice.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Campari, Carpano Antica Formula, Classic Cocktail, Cynar, Gin, Negroni, Orange Bitters, Sweet Vermouth

Burnt Orange Kir Cocktail Glowing Success

Posted on June 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

Quite honestly I wasn’t sure this cocktail would make the cut for my palate. The wide net appeal centered upon its inclusion of Cynar, artichoke based bitter found within the liqueur section. Middle ground curiosity hinged upon Lillet, a classic French aperitif known for its inclusion in the martini James Bond once sipped with style, the Vesper. The recipe’s simplicity is winner without a doubt, but left me skeptical at best. However tasting is believing!

Burnt Orange Kir – created by Ted & Linda Fondulas, Hemingway’s, Killington, Vermont

Find the recipe in New Classic Cocktails by Gary Regan

2 parts Lillet Blanc – chilled

1/4 to 1/2 part Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

3 inch Orange Peel Garnish

Place Lillet and Cynar in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly flamed orange twist.

Definitely opt for the full amount of Cynar. Though Cynar leans toward bitter with abundant full bodied flavor, if you’re thinking about consuming this cocktail you’re no doubt already a lover of this particular spirit. It’s a winner. Burnt Orange Kir begins on the breezy side of simply sweet with Lillet gaining high ground, but finishes with slightly drying, bitter fullness on the back end. Perfectly balances as this cocktail leaves the tongue with desire for more, more, more.

March 16 celebrates the artichoke ~ National Artichoke Heart Day

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Burnt Orange Kir, Classic Cocktail, Cynar, Gary Regan, Lillet Blanc

Recreating a Classic: Negroni Virtuoso

Posted on April 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

The classic Negroni happens to be a particular favorite no matter the season perhaps due to its dry, yet rich flavor profile. While this drink is most commonly served on the rocks according to bartenders and reliable cocktail recipe books, my preferred method of serve is straight up in a cocktail glass. The flavor renders too perfectly to allow ice to water it down even an nth. Savoring the essence of the cocktail is experiencing wonderment at its finest. To rush ahead of ice melt would be such a shame.

March 16 is National Artichoke Heart Day. Cheers!

Though the Negroni shines as is, experimentation with this exquisite classic cocktail renders delicious results. Not long ago the Naughty Negroni recipe, found in The Bubbly Bar by Maria C. Hunt, caught my eye for obvious reasons. The drink presents well for celebratory occasions while maintaining the characteristic dry to bitter undercurrent of Campari. Since that time various renditions of the Negroni with champagne topper have come to my attention. Each presents well on the palate, but invites the imagination for more creative play.

Negroni Virtuoso – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

An adaptation of the classic Negroni & variation of the Naughty Negroni

1 ounce Hendrick’s Gin

3/4 ounce Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

1/2 ounce Carpano Antica Formula

2 ounces Moscato Spumante

Orange Twist

Combine Hendrick’s Gin, Cynar and Carpano Antica Formula in mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into champagne flute. Zest fresh orange peel over top and insert twist into flute. Top with Moscato Spumante. – Cynar and Carpano Antica Formula both combine to add lush richness with tinge of bitterness, softened by the light sweetness of the Moscato Spumante.

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Posted in Champagne & Bubbly, Classic Cocktails

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Carpano Antica Formula, Champagne, Classic Cocktail, Cynar, Gin, Hendrick's Gin, Moscato Spumante, Negroni

Plan a Happily Ever After Date Night

Posted on February 5, 2010 | Leave a comment

Men usually take the heat when Valentine’s Day rolls around. It is high time the tables turn and the ball lands in the ladies court for a change. Ashley Womble of Cosmopolitan magazine suggests eight ideas for dates guys will remember forever. While some might sound a bit cheesy (ie: renting a Vespa – Go for a Harley if you’ve got the dollars and expertise) the idea is take control, be the bad girl he desires and turn the Hallmark moment day into one he’ll never forget. Purchase tickets to his favorite sporting event, join him for an afternoon out at the shooting range and then hit a beer and food pairing dinner. Don’t forget the appropriate attire and smooth moves to assure your Happily Ever After Valentine’s Day ending.

Happily Ever After

1-3/4 ounce Rhum J.M. Blanc

3/4 ounce Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

3/4 ounce Cherry Heering

1/4 ounce Averna

2 Dashes Rhubarb Bitters

1 Dash Whiskey Barrel Bitters

Combine all ingredients except bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with fresh, crushed ice. Drop bitters on to. Stir and serve.

Plan ahead. March 16 is National Artichoke Heart Day.

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Posted in Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Averna, Cherry Heering Liqueur, Cynar, Rhubarb Bitters, Rum, Valentine's Day, Whiskey Bitters

Classic Cocktail Recipes Sparkle: Naughty Negroni & Art’ Negroni

Posted on November 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

With the holiday season coming up it is time to begin thinking about celebration cocktails for family gatherings and social events. Thanksgiving and Christmas time of year bring in moments of tradition, heritage and honor generations of the past. Incorporating classic cocktails into modern celebrations is an excellent way to convey a sense of timelessness and elegance to the occasion.

Maria C. Hunt, author of The Bubbly Bar, offers a champagne perspective for holiday celebrations or any occasion a little added sparkle would make it shine brighter. The Bubbly Bar fills champagne flutes and cocktail glasses with The Classics, those which must be Mixed & Muddled and doesn’t shy away from Happy Endings. All of the recipes are beautifully photographed which is a real plus for those who love visual context of the finished product.

As inspiring as The Bubbly Bar is with its vast array of champagne and sparkling wine cocktails, be prepared for prep work with a healthy share of the recipes provided in this book. Numerous recipes require specialty syrups made ahead of time or steeped tea with spice inclusion, cooled before cocktail mixing can begin. Fresh ingredients definitely create the most flavorful cocktails. Planning ahead for what you want to sample is a must with The Bubbly Bar since there are several cocktails with fresh ingredients. Many contain ingredients that might not be readily available or easy to find such as dried pink rose petals for the Vintage Rose or sour cherry syrup for the Sour Cherry. These are just two examples of ingredients that must be ordered online ahead of time if they cannot be found locally. Maria has provided a Resources guide for this purpose. The Bubbly Bar is an excellent sparkling cocktail resource for anyone with a passion for champagne, but not the best source for on the fly cocktail creation. Prepare ahead of time for what your celebration cocktails will be this season.

Naughty Negroni – Bubbly Bar by Maria C. Hunt

1 ounce Campari

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Gin

4 ounces Moscato d’Asti Sparkling Wine

Long Spiral of Orange Peel Garnish

Add Campari, vermouth and gin to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with Moscato. Garnish with orange peel.

This is indeed beautiful with the classic dry to bitter flavor characteristic of Campari. Champagne gives the Negroni classic cocktail a delightful holiday spirit making this an excellent choice for celebrations.

One of my favorite cocktails to order out and about is the classic Negroni, but with an artful twist. Cynar with its artichoke flavor foundation is my preferred aperitif for the Negroni classic. The flavor is deeply rich without so much bitter dryness.

There’s a holiday for the artichoke! March 16 is National Artichoke Heart Day.

Art’ Negroni – Classic Cocktail adapted by The Intoxicologist

1-1/2 ounce Gin

1 ounce Carpano Antica Formula

1-1/2 ounce Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange twist.

Even though the Negroni cocktail still flavors out fabulously when it warms a little as it is sipped, this drink can also be placed into a small cocktail glass with the remaining half poured into a small sidecar on ice to remain chilled.

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Posted in Champagne & Bubbly, Classic Cocktails

Tagged Art' Negroni, Campari, Carpano Antica Formula, Champagne, Classic Cocktail, Cynar, Gin, Maria C. Hunt, Moscato, Naughty Negroni, Negroni, Sweet Vermouth, The Bubbly Bar

Cynar Artichoke Liqueur: Welcome Addition to Cocktails

Posted on October 17, 2008 | Comments Off

Cynar is an Italian aperitif created from thirteen herbs and plants, artichoke being the most predominant. The color is reddish, dark brown and the flavoring is bittersweet. Like most aperitifs, Cynar may be served over ice or mixed in a cocktail with soda water and a citrus wedge. Europeans often consume Cynar with orange juice. However, Cynar is quite versatile as it may also be mixed with beer or champagne. My personal favorite is an occasional Negroni made with Cynar in place of the customarily called for Campari.

March 16 celebrates the artichoke ~ National Artichoke Heart Day

As is often the case with unusual types of liqueurs or aperitifs, the selection of available recipes is slim or difficult to find. In searching the internet, site after site listed the same recipe over and over: Cynar Cocktail. With a flavor profile as unique as Cynar I knew there had to be a few over the top cocktail recipes out there. Time spent looking for recipes has been worth the effort.

Cin Cyn – crafted by Chris Cunningham of Dino, Cleveland Park, Washington, DC

1-1/2 ounce Gin Cinnabar Negroni using Cynar and Antica Formula - photo property of Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Cynar

Place ice in rocks glass. Add ingredients in order given. Stir.

Tonica al Fresco – crafted by Dale DeGroff for Jovia, NYC

1-1/2 ounce Gin

1/2 ounce Cynar

2 dashes Orange Bitters

2 ounces Chilled Tonic Water

1 Lime Wedge

Fill highball glass two-thirds full with ice. Add gin, Cynar and bitters. Top with tonic. Squeeze lime wedge over top and drop in. – Tonica al Fresco is an Italian spin on the traditional Gin & Tonic.

Thistle

3 ounces Vodka

1 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Cynar

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. No garnish called for, but fresh orange twist would be aromatically delightful in this one.

Cynar Breeze

1 ounce Cynar

3 ounces Vodka

1 ounce Grapefruit Juice

Fill highball glass two-thirds full with ice. Add ingredients in order given. Top with ice if needed. Again, no garnish called for, but grapefruit slice would go rather nicely in this refreshing cocktail. I would also decrease vodka to 1-1/2 ounce and increase the grapefruit juice.

Cynar Biere

1 ounce Cynar – chilled

1/3 ounce Lemon Flavored Syrup

Beer

Place chilled Cynar and lemon flavored syrup in pint glass. Top with beer. Stir gently.

Girasole Cocktail

1 ounce Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka

1 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Cynar

Orange Slice for Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange slice.

Cynar Cocktail

1 ounce Bianco Vermouth

1 ounce Cynar

Orange Wedge Garnish

Combine liquids in aperitif or cordial glass over fresh ice. Squeeze orange wedge over top. Stir.

Cynar is a product of Campari America.

@CampariAmerica on Twitter – Campari America on Facebook

More recipes on their Cocktail Recipe Database

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Posted in Cocktails, Reviews

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Beer, Bianco Vermouth, Cin Cyn, Cynar, Cynar Biere, Cynar Breeze, Cynar Cocktail, Fresh Lime, Gin, Gin & Tonic, Girasole Cocktail, Grapefruit Juice, Hangar 1 Vodka, Lemon Syrup, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Premium Orange Liqueur, Sweet Vermouth, Thistle, Tonic, Tonica al Fresco, Vodka

Tag Archives: Cynar

Campari & Cynar Potable Bitter Cocktails

Bitterly Twisted

Must Try Classic Cocktail Alternatives

Variation on a Classic: Cinnabar Negroni

Burnt Orange Kir Cocktail Glowing Success

Recreating a Classic: Negroni Virtuoso

Plan a Happily Ever After Date Night

Classic Cocktail Recipes Sparkle: Naughty Negroni & Art’ Negroni

Cynar Artichoke Liqueur: Welcome Addition to Cocktails

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