St Raphael Classic Ambre Quinquina
St Raphael Classic Ambre Quinquina is a 750mL French quinquina aperitif — a wine-based aperitif built on a base of mistelle, macerated with quinquina bark, bitter orange, vanilla, and cocoa — nearly two centuries of French aperitif tradition in a bottle, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The story begins in 1830: a French doctor named Juppet, working late into the night to create a quinine-based elixir, prayed to the archangel Raphael for his failing eyesight and named his winning formula for his heavenly helper. St Raphael's foundation is mistelle — grape juice whose fermentation is stopped with alcohol to preserve the natural sugar of the grapes — then slowly macerated with peels of quinquina (the cinchona bark that gives the style its name), bitter orange, vanilla, and cocoa, until the cellar master judges the balance perfect. Classic Ambre is the golden expression of the range: subtle, smooth, and refreshing, lighter and more citrus-driven than its Rouge sibling.
Tasting notes (brand-owner descriptors): a golden amber hue; aromatic citrus zest, bitter orange peel, and dried fruits with vanilla and cocoa; a smooth, lightly sweet palate with soft herbal-spice tones; a refreshing, balanced finish with lingering citrus and chocolate.
Why buy: One of France's most iconic aperitifs — unmistakable bottle, cult advertising history, and a profile that disappears over ice with an orange slice or stretches beautifully into a French Spritz with tonic or prosecco. Compare it with its sibling in the St Raphael range, and browse more wine-based aperitifs and liqueurs at Del Mesa Liquor.
FAQ — people also ask:
Q: What is quinquina?
A: A style of French aromatized-wine aperitif flavored with quinquina — the bark of the cinchona tree, the original source of quinine — plus botanicals like bitter orange, vanilla, and cocoa.
Q: How do you serve St Raphael Ambre?
A: Well chilled over ice with a slice of orange, lengthened with tonic, or as the base of a French Spritz with prosecco.
Q: What is the difference between Ambre and Rouge?
A: Ambre is the lighter, golden expression — citrus-driven and refreshing; Rouge is the deeper, red-wine-based expression — warmer, fruitier, and more full-bodied.
Q: What is the ABV of St Raphael Classic Ambre?
A: 16% ABV.