![\"Cynar-Drink-CU-640x350-3615_883\"](\"https:\/\/adribarrcrocetti.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/Cynar-Drink-CU-640x350-3615_883.jpg\" "\\"Cynar-Drink-CU-640x350-3615_883\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a>Who said artichoke season was over? Well who ever it was doesn’t know about Cynar (chee-NAHR.) Yes, it’s back to bitters with Adri. As much as I enjoy a sweet fruity little something, amaro centric drinks or an amaro consumed neat are satisfying, and so complex, they are on my Desert Island List.<\/p>\n The holidays are here, and with all the feasting, you’ll be looking for something to relieve that feeling of having overdone it at the table. The answer – Italy’s amari. The deal with amari however, is it often takes some coaxing to induce people to give them a go. Cynar, in spite of having probably the coolest label ever, was particularly rough. I mean who wants to dive into a 33 proof something made of artichokes?<\/p>\n The first thing I heard was “May have choked Artie, but it ain’t gonna choke me.” Everyone’s a comedian, I thought. I had to remind my guests how much they enjoyed the amari I have served over the last year. “And this is artichokes plus 12 other herbals and botanicals.” I said. “It will help your digestion.” And then I added, “It was invented in 1952 – the same year I was born.” That last bit may have taken it too far, but once the tasting began, I heard things like tobacco, herbal, green and woody, bittersweet and finally, “I like it.” Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n In the ongoing spirit of my articles on starts and finishes for the holidays, Cynar is also a great aperitivo, and at 33 proof, a good deal lower in alcohol than many other amari – l’amaro vero ma leggero – an authentic amaro, but light, just like the company’s ad says. Drink it neat, straight up or over ice with soda or tonic and a bit of orange or in cocktails such as Art of the Choke<\/em>, Choke Your Mother<\/em>, Little Italy<\/em> or my favorite, Cyn-Cin<\/em> (alternate spelling Cin-Cyn<\/em>), a contemporary take on Italy’s famous Negroni. I think of it as Son of Negroni.<\/p>\n This drink is often served on the rocks in an Old fashioned (rocks) glass, but try this elegant version from Jason Wilson’s treasure of a book, Boozehound<\/em>. And do search out the Hendrick’s gin – gentler than many, its vegetal and floral notes marry beautifully with the herbal notes of the Cynar.<\/p>\n Cyn-Cin<\/em><\/h4>\n 1 ounce Hendrick’s gin Fill a shaker half way with ice. Add gin, vermouth, Cynar and bitters, along with a squeeze of juice from one of the orange wedges. Shake well, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the remaining orange wedge.<\/p>\n from: For another take on the Cyn-Cin see Elizabeth Minchilli’s recent post<\/a>.<\/p>\n And I can never resist Italian commercials. Check out this Cynar spot on YouTube<\/a>. It is just one in a brilliant series. They are all available for viewing at the Cynar website<\/a>. Grab a bottle of Cynar, and prepare to be amused.<\/p>\n CYN! CYN! AR! AR!<\/p>\n As always, bevi responsabilmente!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nserves 1<\/h6>\n
\n1 ounce sweet vermouth
\n1 ounce Cynar
\n1 dash orange bitters
\n2 orange wedges, sliced \u00bd inch thick<\/p>\n
\nBoozehound<\/em>
\nby Jason Wilson<\/a>
\nHardcover: 240 pages
\nTen Speed Press (September 21, 2010)
\nISBN-10: 1580082882
\nISBN-13: 978-1580082884
\nrecipe reprinted with permission of Ten Speed Press\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n