Here the amaro is not a supporting act but the base. Cynar brings caramel, cola and a bitter herbal edge, sweet vermouth rounds it out, and a small hit of lemon keeps everything bright. At roughly the strength of a glass of wine, it is an easy drink to sip slowly after dinner.
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Taste4.3
Balance4.3
Easy to make4
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1 pinch ofsalt or 2 drops saline solution (optional)
Garnish: Lemon twist · Ice: One large cube
Method
Add Cynar, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters and the salt to a mixing glass.
Fill with ice and stir for about 20 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
Express a lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.
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Bitter Giuseppe
Taste
Bittersweet and herbal, with caramel, dried orange and a vegetal note from the Cynar. Medium-bodied and relatively light in alcohol.
History and origin
The Bitter Giuseppe comes from Chicago, where bartender Stephen Cole created it at The Violet Hour, one of the bars that shaped the American craft cocktail scene in the 2000s. The idea is simple: treat Cynar, the Italian artichoke-based amaro, as the base spirit of a Manhattan-style drink instead of a modifier.
The drink became a modern classic because it fits a clear trend: lower-alcohol cocktails built on amari and vermouth that still taste serious. The unusual amount of orange bitters and the tiny dose of lemon juice are what set it apart from a simple amaro and vermouth mix.
Bartender tips
Measure the lemon juice precisely: more than a barspoon or two quickly turns the drink sour.
Six dashes of orange bitters sounds like a lot, but they lift and dry out the rich amaro. Do not skip them.
A pinch of salt or a couple of drops of saline softens the bitterness noticeably.
Variations
Cynar Manhattan with rye
Add 30 ml rye whiskey and reduce the Cynar to 30 ml for a stronger, spicier drink.
Cynar 70 version
Use the higher-strength Cynar 70 for a bolder, more bitter drink.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cynar?
An Italian amaro flavoured with artichoke leaves and a blend of herbs. It tastes of caramel and bitter herbs rather than of artichoke.
How strong is a Bitter Giuseppe?
Relatively light. Cynar is about 16.5 % ABV, so the drink ends up around 12 % after stirring.
Can I use another amaro?
Yes, but it becomes a different drink. Averna or Ramazzotti work well; very bitter amari like Fernet need less volume.
