Suze Aperitif Liqueur
Gentian Aperitif Liqueur | 750mL | 20% ABV (40 proof) — Suze is the iconic French gentian aperitif, created in 1889 by Fernand Moureaux and produced at Pernod Ricard's historic distillery in Thuir, southern France. Yellow gentian root — a blue-flowering mountain plant traditionally gathered in the Jura and Massif Central — is macerated and distilled with aromatic botanicals, then sweetened into a luminous yellow, bittersweet aperitif. Suze has been part of French café culture for over 135 years and famously appears in Picasso's 1912 collage Verre et bouteille de Suze. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Among bitter aperitifs, Suze is the gentian original — earthier and less aggressively bitter than Campari, lighter-bodied, with a herbal-floral character that made it the backbone of the white negroni. If your home bar has Campari and Aperol, Suze is the third bottle it needs.
Tasting notes
Earthy bitter gentian up front, subtle spice, light fruitiness; herbal-floral with citrus undertones. Bittersweet and luminous — less bitter and lighter-bodied than Campari (retailer and press consensus).
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 750mL, 20% ABV — the original French gentian aperitif, made since 1889
- Yellow gentian root from French mountain regions, distilled at the historic Thuir distillery
- Essential for white negronis and Suze tonics; a café-culture icon
- Featured in Picasso's 1912 Verre et bouteille de Suze
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
The classic: Suze and tonic over ice with a lemon twist. The insider move: a white negroni — equal parts Suze, gin, and a blanc/bianco vermouth. It also shines in a simple spritz with prosecco.
Frequently asked questions
What does Suze taste like?
Bittersweet and earthy — gentian root gives an herbal, almost floral bitterness that's gentler than Campari, with citrus and light spice.
Why does the ABV differ between bottles?
Pernod Ricard labels Suze at 15% ABV in Europe, while U.S. bottles — like the one pictured — are 20% ABV. Both are the same recipe at different strengths.
What's a white negroni?
Suze replaces Campari: equal parts gin, Suze, and blanc vermouth over ice. Lighter and more floral than the classic.
Is Suze the same as Campari?
No — Campari is a red bitter built on different botanicals; Suze is a yellow gentian-based aperitif, earthier and less sweet.