Liqueurs & Aperitifs

The name says it all: Aperol is the perfect aperitif. Bright orange in color, its unique taste comes from a secret recipe unchanged since 1919 — a precise infusion of bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, gentian, and a blend of herbs and roots in perfect proportion. Light in alcohol and irresistibly refreshing, it’s the foundation of the iconic Aperol Spritz.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast — 95 Points | Sophisticated and delightful aromas of tangerine and rhubarb. The palate entry is delightfully citrusy and sweet; the midpalate phase offers just enough herbal bitterness to balance. Ends up refreshing, orangey sweet and delectably herbal. This deserves to become a popular pre-dinner quaff.

• Producer: Campari Group, Italy
• Style: Aperitivo Liqueur
• ABV: 11%
• Format: 750ml
• Serve: Aperol Spritz — 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 splash soda

Campari Aperitivo — Milan, Italy 48 Proof

Campari is one of the world's most iconic spirits — the aperitif par excellence, born in Milan in 1860 from the experiments of Gaspare Campari and unchanged for over 150 years. The recipe is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the drinks world: a precise infusion of herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit in alcohol and water, with the exact number of ingredients debated by enthusiasts — some say 20, others 60, others still 80. What is certain is that no one has ever replicated it. Campari's unmistakable ruby-red color, bittersweet complexity, and aromatic intensity have made it the foundation of some of the world's greatest cocktails — the Negroni, the Campari Spritz, and the Americano among them.

The nose is intensely aromatic: bitter orange peel, cherry, rhubarb, and a complex herbal bouquet of roots, spices, and botanicals. On the palate, it is boldly bittersweet — a wave of citrus peel and cherry up front, followed by layers of herbal complexity, a touch of vanilla, and a long, pleasantly bitter finish that lingers and invites the next sip. Unmistakable. Irreplaceable.

"A unique and unmistakable recipe, kept the same since its inception — the inimitable Campari, the aperitif par excellence for over 150 years." — Campari

• Producer: Campari Group, Milan, Italy
• Style: Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur
• ABV: 24% (48 Proof)
• Size: 750ml
• Recipe: Secret infusion of herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit — unchanged since 1860
• Tasting Notes: Bitter orange, cherry, rhubarb, herbal roots, spice, vanilla, long bitter finish
• Serve: Negroni, Campari Spritz, Americano, or on the rocks with soda and orange
• Best Paired With: Charcuterie, olives, bruschetta, fried appetizers, light pasta, risotto

The original Italian bitter — Campari is irreplaceable, unmistakable, and the 750ml is the essential bottle for every home bar.

Producer Notes

One of life's most pleasurable indulgences, Baileys Original Irish Cream is the sweetest meeting of fine Irish whiskey and spirits, Irish dairy cream, and rich chocolate and vanilla flavors. The result? Complete deliciousness. Drink neat over ice, shake into cocktails, drizzle over ice-cream, bake a Baileys-tastic cake – perhaps even share it if you have to – Baileys Original Irish Cream equals pure, unadulterated pleasure. Go on, you know you want to!

Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth — Turin, Italy | 16.5% ABV

Carpano Antica Formula is the original sweet vermouth — and arguably the most important bottle in the history of the cocktail. Created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano in Turin in 1786, this is the vermouth that started it all: the ancient formula that defined the category, inspired generations of bartenders, and remains the gold standard for sweet vermouth to this day. Every detail of production reflects that heritage: white wines from Romagna, Puglia, and Sicily are processed within 24 hours of harvest to prevent oxidation; botanical ingredients are extracted by hot infusion or cold extraction over months of precise, lengthy processing; and the final blend undergoes a refining stage of several more months to allow every herb and spice to fully integrate. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 95 points.

The nose is rich, complex, and unmistakable: Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti vanilla beans (whole, never derivative), Alpine wormwood from Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, Iranian saffron, bitter orange, dates, cocoa beans, almond, raisins, and cloves. On the palate, it is lush and well-rounded — a deep vanilla core framed by spice, dried fruit, and a long, warming finish. Drinkable solo over ice as an aperitif or digestif, and the definitive ingredient in a proper Manhattan or Negroni.

Wine Enthusiast 95 — “Rich, fruity and enticing… warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an apéritif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite.”

• Producer: Carpano Distillery, Turin, Piedmont, Italy
• Style: Sweet (Red) Vermouth — Antica Formula (Ancient Recipe, est. 1786)
• Base Wine: White wines from Romagna, Puglia & Sicily — processed within 24 hours of harvest
• Key Botanicals: Whole vanilla beans (Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti), Alpine wormwood (Piedmont & Aosta Valley), Iranian saffron, bitter orange, cocoa beans, cloves
• ABV: 16.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Vanilla, fig, dried cherry, spiced gingerbread, bitter orange, almond, raisins, cocoa, long warming finish
• Best Served: Over ice as an aperitif or digestif, or in a Manhattan, Negroni, Boulevardier, or Americano
• Food Pairings: Charcuterie, aged cheeses, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, antipasto
• Storage: Refrigerate after opening

The original, the benchmark, the one that started it all — Carpano Antica Formula is the non-negotiable sweet vermouth for anyone who takes their cocktails seriously.

Carpano Dry Vermouth — Turin, Italy | 18% ABV

Carpano Dry Vermouth is the dry expression from the house that invented vermouth — and it brings the same centuries of Turin craftsmanship that made Antica Formula legendary to the world of dry. Established in 1786 by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, the house revolutionized the category with its commitment to high-quality ingredients and precise botanical production. The Dry is a natural extension of that heritage: light-bodied, aromatic, and built for the cocktail canon, delivering a delicate sophistication that elevates every drink it touches.

The nose is elegant and inviting: chamomile, fresh citrus, and delicate floral undertones with aromatic botanical complexity. On the palate, it is crisp and dry — a sophisticated balance of herbal notes and dry spices, underpinned by refreshing acidity and a clean, lingering botanical finish. The ideal dry vermouth for a classic Martini, Gibson, or Vesper — and equally compelling served chilled with a lemon twist as a standalone aperitif.

“For over 235 years, Carpano has been synonymous with quality and innovation in Italian vermouth production. The Dry brings that same heritage to the world of crisp, aromatic dry vermouth.”

• Producer: Carpano Distillery, Turin, Piedmont, Italy (est. 1786)
• Style: Dry Vermouth
• ABV: 18%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Chamomile, citrus, floral undertones, herbal spice, refreshing acidity, clean dry finish
• Best Served: In a classic Martini, Gibson, Vesper, or Negroni variation — or chilled with a lemon twist as an aperitif
• Food Pairings: Olives, seafood, light charcuterie, soft cheeses, Mediterranean appetizers
• Storage: Refrigerate after opening

Crisp, aromatic, and rooted in 235 years of Turin tradition — Carpano Dry is the benchmark for what Italian dry vermouth can be.

Producer Description 

Caffe Lucano is the combination of the finest coffee blends and embodies the intensity of real Italian espresso with hints of cocoa and vanilla. It is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature in winter. It is the perfect after dinner drink and ideal for decorating ice cream. 

Winemaker Description

Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late-19th century recipe that earned worldwide fame and inspired fifty years of evocative poster art. Byrrh combines a generous, port-like wine and mistelle base with a firm backbone of natural quinine to produce a fruity, refreshing aperitif.

By itself, with tonic and a twist, or paired with blue cheese. In cocktails, Byrrh mixes well with vodka, gin, tequila, Irish whiskey, and grapefruit. Byrrh is produced in Thuir, in the heart of French Catalan territory, near the coast and border with Spain. 

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | Concentrated dark fruit leads the nose and palate on this garnet-hued aperitif wine infused with quinine. Complex, rich stewed fruit notes suggest cherry pie and Port brushed with vanilla, finishing long with drying hints of plum skin, sage and dried oregano plus a hint of espresso-like bitterness.  Best Buy

Lo-Fi Aperitifs Gentian Amaro — Napa County, California, 750ml

Lo-Fi Aperitifs is one of California's most thoughtful producers of aperitivo-style spirits, crafting small-batch vermouths and amaros from a wine-country perspective. Their Gentian Amaro is built around the classic bitter root of the Alps — gentian — balanced with cinchona bark, sweet citrus, ginger, exotic flowers, and warm spices. The result is a distinctly Californian take on the amaro tradition: bright, aromatic, and refreshingly bitter without being harsh. At $24.99 for 750ml, it is one of the best-value amaros on the market.

The nose is inviting and complex: sweet citrus peel, fresh ginger, dried flowers, and a whisper of exotic spice, all underpinned by the earthy, herbal depth of gentian and cinchona bark. On the palate, it is clean and lively — ripe citrus fruit up front, then a wave of crisp, structured bitterness that lingers cleanly through the finish. Versatile enough to sip over ice, elegant enough to elevate a cocktail, and a natural partner for sparkling wine and aged spirits.

• Producer: Lo-Fi Aperitifs, Napa County, California, USA
• Style: Gentian Amaro
• Key Botanicals: Gentian root, cinchona bark, sweet citrus, ginger, exotic flowers, spices
• Size: 750ml
• Flavor Profile: Sweet citrus, ginger, dried flowers, crisp bitterness, herbal finish
• Best Served: Over ice, with soda, or as a cocktail modifier
• Best Paired With: Sparkling wine, aged spirits, charcuterie, citrus-forward cocktails

California's most approachable amaro — Lo-Fi Gentian is the bottle that belongs on every back bar and every home cocktail shelf.

Cynar (pronounced chee-nar) is one of Italy's most iconic amari — a bittersweet liqueur born in 1952 and named after the artichoke, Cynara scolymus, which gives it its distinctive character. Part of the great Italian tradition of digestive bitters, Cynar is made from a blend of artichoke leaves and 13 carefully selected herbs and botanicals, all 100% natural, infused in an alcohol base. It has become a staple of the global cocktail renaissance, beloved by bartenders for its complex, layered bitterness and remarkable versatility.

The Cynar Liqueur 70 Proof 1.0L delivers Cynar's signature bitter-herbal profile in a generous liter format. The nose is earthy and herbal with a distinctive artichoke bitterness, layered with caramel, dried herbs, and a hint of citrus. On the palate it is rich and complex — bittersweet, slightly vegetal, and deeply satisfying. Traditionally served as a digestif over ice or with soda, it is equally at home in a Cynar Spritz, a Negroni variation, or any cocktail calling for an amaro with real depth and character.

Spirit Details

• Italian amaro — artichoke leaves & 13 herbs and botanicals
• 100% natural ingredients
• 35% ABV (70 Proof)
• Italy | 1.0L
• Serve: over ice, with soda, or in a Cynar Spritz, Negroni variation, or Paper Plane