Skip to content
Cynar from Italy

Cynar

Cynar is a bittersweet Italian artichoke-leaf digestivo, born in 1952 and now a classic Italian digestif and Spritz… · Italy

Also known as Cynar Amaro, Cynar 70 (high-proof Brazilian formulation), Carciofo amaro, Artichoke Bitters

📍 Milan and Novi Ligure (Piedmont/Lombardy production) + nationwide Italian digestivo tradition ★ 4.4
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Cynar is a bittersweet Italian artichoke-leaf digestivo, born in 1952 and now a classic Italian digestif and Spritz base.

About Cynar

Cynar is an Italian artichoke-leaf digestivo produced since 1952, originally formulated by Angelo Dalle Molle and now owned by Campari Group. Despite being made from a vegetable rather than a fruit, it is classified as an amaro (bitter liqueur) and is typically served as a digestif after meals. The recipe infuses a neutral spirit base with a proprietary blend of artichoke leaves and thirteen herbs and plants, then sweetens the macerate lightly before bottling at 16.5 percent ABV in the standard version and 35 percent ABV in the Riserva.

The taste is bittersweet and vegetal, with a distinctive artichoke note layered over gentian, bitter orange, and a long, herbal finish. The bottle is unmistakable: a squat round flask painted in a deep bottle-green that resembles a halved artichoke head, with a paper label showing artichoke leaves in orange and a small red star. It is usually drunk neat, on the rocks with a citrus peel, or lengthened into a long drink with soda and orange peel, the latter being the classic "Cynar Spritz" variation on the Venetian Spritz.

Today Cynar is bottled at the Campari plant in Novi Ligure and in Brazil, and it is poured in trattorias, bars, and home kitchens across Italy and increasingly in Latin America. In Milan, Rome, Turin, and Bologna it is a standard digestivo; in Brazil (where it is hugely popular as "Cynar 70" due to the higher-strength formulation once sold there) it is mixed with soda, passion fruit juice, or vermouth. Modern bartenders revive the Cynar Julep and Cynar Negroni as aperitivo-hour staples.

🏛️ History & Culture

Cynar was introduced in 1952 by Angelo Dalle Molle, an Italian businessman from Venice, and its name derives from Cynara scolymus, the botanical term for the globe artichoke. The recipe blends artichoke leaves with a secret mix of up to 13 herbs and botanicals, producing a bittersweet amaro that is officially classified as a digestivo. Its origins are not disputed, but the exact botanical formula remains proprietary, now owned by Campari Group.

In Italy, Cynar is traditionally served as an after-dinner digestivo, often over ice with a slice of orange, while in Brazil it has gained a distinct identity through the higher-proof Cynar 70, favored in cocktails. Beyond its home country, the liqueur enjoyed a revival in the 2010s as a versatile ingredient in modern mixology, appearing in twists on the Negroni and Americano. Its artichoke base makes it unique among European bitters, symbolizing Italy’s deep-rooted tradition of crafting savory, vegetable-infused spirits from regional produce.

Recipes from travellers

No one has shared their own Cynar recipe yet. Yours would be the first.

Share how you make Cynar

You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.

Sign in to share your recipe

Ingredients
Steps

Cynar — frequently asked questions

What is Cynar?

Cynar is an Italian artichoke-leaf digestivo produced since 1952, originally formulated by Angelo Dalle Molle and now owned by Campari Group. Despite being made from a vegetable rather than a fruit, it is classified as an amaro (bitter liqueur) and is typically served as a digestif after meals.

What is Cynar made of?

Cynar is made with Cynara scolymus (artichoke) leaf infusion, Neutral sugar beet spirit, 13 herbs and botanicals including gentian root, Caramel colour (E150a), Sugar and Water.

Where does Cynar come from?

Cynar comes from Italy, and is especially associated with Milan and Novi Ligure (Piedmont/Lombardy production) + nationwide Italian digestivo tradition. Cynar was introduced in 1952 by Angelo Dalle Molle, an Italian businessman from Venice, and its name derives from Cynara scolymus, the botanical term for the globe artichoke.

Where can I eat Cynar?

Cynar is poured as a digestif in trattorias and osterie across Italy — Milan (Bar Basso, Dry), Rome (Roscioli), Bologna (Osteria del Sole), Turin (Caffè Fiorio), and Naples (Gran Caffè Gambrinus). In São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro it is sold in every boteco and…

What else is Cynar called?

Cynar is also known as Cynar Amaro, Cynar 70 (high-proof Brazilian formulation), Carciofo amaro, Artichoke Bitters.

→ More traditional dishes from Italy

Taste Cynar in Rome

Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these — at no extra cost to you. How this works.

✅ Before you go to Italy

Round out your trip — most travellers book these alongside their trip.

More dishes like Cynar

Stracciatella alla Romana -- traditional dish from Italy
Soups & Stews ★ 4.2

Stracciatella alla Romana

Clear broth ribboned with egg and parmesan.

🇮🇹 Italy · 📍 Rome, Lazio
Rustico -- traditional dish from Italy
Snacks & Appetizers ★ 4.2

Rustico

Hailing from Italy, Rustico is a much-loved snack.

🇮🇹 Italy
Affogato -- traditional dish from Italy
Desserts & Sweets ★ 4.5

Affogato

Vanilla gelato drowned in a shot of hot espresso.

🇮🇹 Italy · 📍 Nationwide
Lanterne -- traditional dish from Italy
Noodles & Pasta ★ 4.3

Lanterne

Lanterne is a short, grooved pasta from central and southern Italy, shaped so that its ridged surface catches and holds sauce in every fold.

🇮🇹 Italy · 📍 Central and Southern Italy
Cannoli -- traditional dish from Italy
Desserts & Sweets ★ 4.6

Cannoli

Crisp fried shells piped with sweet ricotta cream.

🇮🇹 Italy · 📍 Sicily
Profezeni -- traditional dish from Italy
Street Food ★ 4.0

Profezeni

Profezeni is a traditional sandwich from Italy.

🇮🇹 Italy
Railroad Spike -- traditional dish from United States
Drinks & Beverages ★ 4.1

Railroad Spike

Railroad Spike is a beloved cocktail, traditional to the United States.

🇺🇸 United States
Joven Tequila -- traditional dish from Mexico
Drinks & Beverages ★ 4.6

Joven Tequila

Joven tequila is a Mexican spirit blending young blanco with lightly aged reposado, giving a smooth drink that keeps the fresh agave character, a versatile cocktail base.

🇲🇽 Mexico · 📍 Jalisco (and surrounding protected areas)
Bumbo -- traditional dish from Cuba
Drinks & Beverages ★ 4.5

Bumbo

Bumbo is a beloved cocktail, traditional to Cuba.

🇨🇺 Cuba
Drinks & Beverages ★ 4.2

Bombardino

Bombardino counts among the traditional food of Italy, a cocktail locals hold dear.

🇮🇹 Italy
Zabov -- traditional dish from Italy
Drinks & Beverages ★ 4.2

Zabov

Zabov counts among the traditional food of Italy, an egg liqueur locals hold dear.

🇮🇹 Italy
Croque Monsieur -- traditional dish from France
Street Food ★ 4.4

Croque Monsieur

Toasted ham sandwich blanketed in béchamel and cheese.

🇫🇷 France · 📍 Paris
Kapustnica -- traditional dish from Slovakia
Soups & Stews ★ 4.0

Kapustnica

Kapustnica is a beloved soup, traditional to Slovakia.

🇸🇰 Slovakia
Black Forest Cake -- traditional dish from Germany
Desserts & Sweets ★ 4.5

Black Forest Cake

Chocolate sponge layered with cherries, cream and kirsch.

🇩🇪 Germany · 📍 Black Forest
Far Breton -- traditional dish from France
Desserts & Sweets ★ 4.3

Far Breton

Dense Breton flan studded with prunes.

🇫🇷 France · 📍 Brittany
Pirukas -- traditional dish from Estonia
Breads & Pastries ★ 4.1

Pirukas

A small hand-shaped Estonian yeast bun filled with pork, kohupiim curd, cabbage, or potato, and sold at every bakery and market in the country.

🇪🇪 Estonia · 📍 Nationwide in Estonia, with strong traditions in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Haapsalu, Viljandi, and the eastern Seto region (where a rye-flour version is also made)

Reviews

Rate this dish:
No review needed - one click, publishes instantly.

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Cynar.

Write a review

Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Cynar.

Comments

Sign in with Facebook or Google below to comment. Comments are auto-checked and post instantly.

No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Cynar.