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Originally served in a chilled old-fashioned glass without ice but I prefer this cocktail with the dilution that comes with ice. Don't worry if you don't...
6th February at 02:25
I tried this tonight. Excellent balance. I like my drinks a touch more bitter so the addition of the Campari I think is genius. I might play with using an Averna or another amaro to see where it leads.
16th December 2025 at 19:32
Excellent, didn’t have chocolate bitters (must get some) so used orange bitters. Into the favourites she goes.
3rd September 2025 at 00:44
Substituted Cyanar with Fernet Branca (one of my absolutely favorite cocktail ingredients). It counters the sweetness well and everything plays well together. A new favorite - especially in the 3 (+bitters) ingredients category.
8th December 2025 at 18:00
Hello Troy, you have substituted this cocktail with a different cocktail altogether ^^.
23rd August 2025 at 00:33
This bourbon/cynar ration is really interesting, I didn't expect it to combine so well. I didn't add sugar syrup as suggested by others here. I used angostura cocoa bitters and found it better to go a few extra than the 4 suggested dashes.
On my second one I wanted to try adding a little funkyness so I added a barspoon of grappa and the result was good.
On my second one I wanted to try adding a little funkyness so I added a barspoon of grappa and the result was good.
1st June 2025 at 02:46
I don't find it too sweet so much as the cynar plus bourbon and chocolate don't quite work together for me, unfortunate as cynar is one of my favorite amaros.
25th February 2025 at 23:08
My two cents. Forget the syrup, already too sweet because of Bourbon and cynar. If you want a really worth it upgrade, cynar 70. Thats all.
16th September 2024 at 02:32
Tried before, it was excellent. This time around (used a 99 proof bourbon) it was a bit sweet. My rich syrup has been covered, in the fridge, for a while so perhaps evaporation has concentrated it. A strong dash of chocolate bitters completely corrected the balance. Certainly served with ice. ♡
10th September 2024 at 01:35
My unsolicited advice: sub maple syrup (half the amount, maybe less!) for the simple. Adds to the complexity and helps it last longer!
28th June 2025 at 04:34
I completely agree, a splash of maple syrup in place of the simple makes for a much more interesting drink. This was a favorite as written, even better with maple syrup.
23rd October 2024 at 21:47
Cheers for the tip. Agree it add extra complexity.
9th August 2024 at 14:17
Agree with all comments. Fabulous rich cocktail, chocolate bitters make it. Would dial back the sugar a little though
29th January 2024 at 07:45
This is a good drink! Not too sweet for me using Woodford Reserve. Took Garrett's advice with some orange oils on top and highly recommend. Ends with that distinctive Cynar bitterness. As the drink dilutes, the cocoa notes increase.
22nd January 2024 at 05:08
The chocolate bitters make this - next time I'll take Garrett's suggestion and zooz a little orange zest over the top. Pretty good complex mix of flavours that work well together.
16th December 2023 at 00:27
Way too sweet for me. I'll cut the simple syrup in half, try again, and report back.
6th June 2023 at 23:45
Wonderful boozy cocktail. Far more complex than the few ingredients might suggest. Nice balance as well.
24th April 2023 at 18:41
loved it. delicious. love Cynar. used bulleit bourbon. will drink again.
5th March 2023 at 17:12
Just tried this and I'm completely bemused by the suggestions below that it's "too sweet". Not puckeringly dry, but make it as per the recipe and it's excellent, well-balanced and satisfying. If the chocolate bitters are omitted then I'm sure you'll get a sweeter concoction, but that's not the drink, is it?
9th June 2023 at 03:36
They may be using underproof bourbon, a common mistake
24th February 2023 at 01:15
Perfect as an aperitif. Used only 1/2 sugar syrup, and still found it a bit sweet. Would do again without the sugar syrup and maybe a dash of cold water.
28th October 2023 at 11:01
Maybe change up the bourbon? I made it with Old Forester and found it to be well-balanced.
That said, I will probably try it again with rye because I like rye a lot more than I like bourbon.
That said, I will probably try it again with rye because I like rye a lot more than I like bourbon.
14th February 2023 at 02:09
Very sweet. Used a dash of mole bitters which worked well.
10th May 2022 at 17:41
I really wanted to enjoy this because the flavors are all ones I like. Something is holding it back from being a 5/5 and I'm not sure what it is.
23rd August 2022 at 15:55
Thinking back on this I feel it needs something like an orange peel expressed over the top to add some brightness to the drink.
24th June 2022 at 08:51
Agree - I get the same feeling. It misses something needed to resolve it. Though, as the ice melts, I am less certain. What changed - me or the drink?
10th October 2020 at 19:30
Superb. Quite Fighty, but the two amazing ingredients combine really well.
Now my wife is going to want one of these every night!