Cynar Ricetta Originale Bitter, Italy (16.5%, 70cl)

Born in 1952 Venice, Cynar revolutionized Italian bitters by placing the humble artichoke at its heart - not for novelty, but for the leaf's natural cynarin compound that heightens sweetness perception. This 16.5% ABV elixir blends 13 botanicals including gentian root, quinine, and orange peel into a mahogany-hued masterpiece that's both approachable and complex.

The nose greets you with caramelized artichoke hearts and fig jam, layered with dried oregano and black tea leaves. On the palate, burnt sugar sweetness gives way to rhubarb-like tartness, then resolves into a lingering herbal bitterness that cleanses rather than overwhelms. The finish carries whispers of tobacco leaf and wet slate - a nod to its Venetian lagoon origins.

While sublime over ice with an orange twist, Cynar truly shines in spritzes (swap it for Aperol) or as the bitter backbone in a Cynar Sour. For an after-dinner revelation, try it floated over espresso - the artichoke's earthiness magnifying coffee's roasted depth.

Available at our Copenhagen store or for EU-wide delivery.