🥃 Cynar Artichoke Liqueur
The base expression of the Cynar brand: an Italian bitter liqueur at 16.5% ABV, made with artichoke leaves and 12 other botanicals.
Cynar Artichoke Liqueur is the base and oldest expression of the Cynar brand, an Italian bitter liqueur at 16.5% ABV. It is flavoured with artichoke leaves and other botanicals. Most people simply call it Cynar; compared with the Cynar 70 Proof version, it is half as strong.
According to Difford's Guide, the base is artichoke leaves (Cynara scolymus) and 12 other botanicals that are infused. The sources do not mention ageing in barrels. They give different founding years, 1949 or 1952. It is produced by Davide Campari Novi Ligure, and the brand has belonged to Campari Group since 1995.
Why it matters to you. Within the Cynar range this is the lightest version. It is served chilled, on ice, or with soda or tonic, and in cocktails it is softer than Cynar 70 Proof. Compare it with other bitter aperitifs such as Campari or Aperol. WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1949 (Difford's Guide, Cynar page) or 1952 (its Cynar 70 page and Prepared Foods) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I; by composition closer to category 30, bitter |
| EU category | 30 — bitter spirit drink, from 15% vol.; classification is set by the producer |
| Raw material | artichoke leaves (Cynara scolymus) and 12 other botanicals |
| Distillation method | infusion of botanicals; the sources do not mention barrels |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 16.5% ABV (33 proof) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cynar Artichoke Liqueur → kind of → 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Cynar, 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits
- Similar and different
- 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink), 🥃 Campari, 🥃 Aperol, 🥃 Cynar 70 Proof, 🥃 Cynar 70 Proof
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Cynar tastes like artichoke?
No. According to Prepared Foods, the drink does not taste like artichoke: the name comes from cynarin, a compound found in artichoke, and the flavour is bittersweet.
What is the strength of Cynar Artichoke Liqueur?
16.5% ABV, which is 33 proof, according to Difford's Guide.
How does it differ from Cynar 70 Proof?
Only in strength and intensity: Cynar 70 is 35% ABV, while the recipe, according to Difford's Guide, is the same.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink) — Spirit drink with a predominantly bitter taste: flavoured alcohol or distillate from 15% vol.; EU category 30.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Cynar 70 Proof · 🥃 Campari Spritz Ready-to-Serve · 🥃 Campari Soda · 🥃 Aperol Aperitivo · 🥃 Campari Negroni · 🥃 Aperol Spritz To Go
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Cynar (16.5 %, 33 proof; artichoke leaves and 12 other botanicals; Gruppo Campari since 1995; Davide Campari Novi Ligure)
- Prepared Foods: Campari America Launches Cynar 70 Proof (08.10.2015; Italy, 70 proof, 13 herbs and plants, recipe from 1952, digestivo serves)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: categories (30 bitter, 33 liqueur) — legislation.gov.uk copy
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)