Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

Cynar Artichoke Liqueur is a 1L bottle of the Italian amaro bottled at 16.5% ABV (33 proof), built on an infusion of 13 herbs and plants, predominantly artichoke — Cynara scolymus, the plant the drink is named for, whose leaves lend its distinctive vegetal bitterness and whose natural cynarine anchors the unchanged secret recipe. Created by Venetian entrepreneur Angelo Dalle Molle and launched in Italy in 1952, it works both sides of dinner: bitter enough to open an appetite, rounded enough to close a meal. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 16.5% (33 proof)
• Size: 1L (US format)
• Style: Italian amaro — aperitif and digestif
• Botanicals: Infusion of 13 herbs and plants, predominantly artichoke leaf
• Origin: Created by Angelo Dalle Molle; developed at G.B. Pezziol, Padua; launched 1952
• Producer: Campari Group since 1995

An Amaro Built on a Vegetable

Every amaro hides its recipe, but Cynar puts its lead botanical in its name: Cynara scolymus, the artichoke. Angelo Dalle Molle, a Venetian entrepreneur and philanthropist, developed the liqueur with Rino Dondi Pinton at the G.B. Pezziol distillery in Padua — a firm Dalle Molle and his brothers had taken over after the war — and launched it in 1952. Italy took to it through the famous Carosello television spots with Ernesto Calindri, pitched against "the wear and tear of modern life." The brand passed to Bols in 1976 and has been made by Campari Group since 1995, the recipe — thirteen herbs and plants, artichoke leaf in front — untouched. Bartenders prize the moderate 16.5% strength: full amaro bitterness you can pour generously. Find its red stablemate on the Campari vendor page and more Italian bitters in our spirits collection.

Tasting Notes

Brand-level character: dark brown and bittersweet — herbal and distinctly vegetal from the artichoke leaf, rounded by a caramel smoothness, at a strength that keeps it refreshing rather than heavy. (Detailed spice-note sets on some retailer pages describe the stronger Cynar 70 bottling, not this one.)

How to Enjoy

Neat or on ice before or after dinner; with soda and a lemon or orange slice; as a Cynar Spritz; or swapped for Campari in a Negroni for a softer, earthier build — a substitution the brand itself suggests. More amaro and aperitif styles are in our spirits collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cynar taste like?
Bittersweet, herbal and vegetal — the artichoke leaf leads, over a caramel-rounded body. It is less aggressively bitter than Campari and pours at a gentler 16.5% ABV.

Is Cynar an aperitif or a digestif?
Both — unusually, it is regarded as each: bitter enough to serve before dinner, smooth and moderate enough to serve after it.

What is the difference between Cynar and Cynar 70?
Strength and intent. This bottle is the original recipe at 16.5% ABV in the US 1L format; Cynar 70 is a separate, later bottling at 35% ABV (70 proof) built for cocktails. Their reviews and tasting notes are not interchangeable.

Thirteen plants, one artichoke, both sides of dinner — order Cynar online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.