Cynar Old Fashioned

A clever Old Fashioned variant that uses Cynar in place of sugar and bitters, adding earthy artichoke depth to bourbon's caramel warmth.

amaroEasy~30% ABV

MethodStirGlassRocks GlassIcesphereGarnishOrange peel

Recipe

Serves1

Ingredients

2 ozbourbon
½ ozcynar
2 dashesangostura bitters
Orange peelgarnish

Tools

mixing glassbar spoonjiggerstrainer

Instructions

1Combine bourbon, Cynar, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
3Strain over a large ice sphere or cube in a rocks glass.
4Express an orange peel over the drink and use as garnish.

#old-fashioned-riff#amaro#cynar#bourbon#stirred

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History & Origin

The Cynar Old Fashioned replaces the traditional sugar cube and Angostura bitters with Cynar, the Italian artichoke-based amaro first produced in Venice in 1952. The amaro serves double duty as both sweetener and bitters, bringing a savory, earthy complexity that transforms the classic Old Fashioned into something altogether more layered. The combination of bourbon's caramel notes and Cynar's vegetal bitterness has become a go-to for bartenders looking to add depth to the format.

🛒 Tools for This Recipe

Everything you need to make a great Cynar Old Fashioned at home.

🫗Hiware Mixing Glass (24oz)$12–18Shop on Amazon →🥄Zulay 12" Bar Spoon$6–10Shop on Amazon →📏OXO Angled Jigger$10–15Shop on Amazon →🔧A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer$10–16Shop on Amazon →🥃Rocks Glasses (Set of 4)$15–30Shop on Amazon →

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Disclaimer: Recipes are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nutritional information, ABV estimates, and other data are approximations and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods used.

bittersweet, complex, spirit-forward◆Stir