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Suze Aperitif

700ml & 40 Proof

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
3 Reviews

Suze Aperitif is a Aperitif from the Suze Aperitif brand hailing from France.

What is Suze Aperitif?

Suze Aperitif is a distinctive French liqueur with a vibrant yellow hue and a complex, bittersweet flavor profile dominated by the gentian root. This alpine flower-derived spirit has been a staple in French drinking culture since 1889, but interestingly, it wasn't introduced to the United States market until 2012, making it a relatively new discovery for American cocktail enthusiasts.

Why do we love Suze Aperitif?

Suze Aperitif captivates cocktail enthusiasts with its distinctive bittersweet profile, derived from wild gentian root harvested in the French Alps. Unlike rum, which is made from sugarcane byproducts, Suze is a French liqueur that offers a complex, herbaceous flavor with notes of citrus and a subtle earthy undertone, making it a versatile ingredient for both classic and contemporary cocktails.

How do you drink Suze Aperitif?

Suze Aperitif shines when sipped neat or over ice, allowing its unique bittersweet flavors to take center stage, but it also excels in spritz-style cocktails and as a modifier in gin or tequila-based drinks. This versatile spirit is perfect for warm summer evenings, pairing beautifully with light appetizers like olives, cheese, and charcuterie, or adding depth to seafood dishes with its herbaceous notes.

Discover some of our favorite recipes.

$33.99
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Nose: Bright herbal aromas dominate, led by fresh gentian root. Notes of citrus peel, particularly orange, mingle with hints of woody spice and a touch of earthy angelica. There's an underlying sweetness reminiscent of candied lemon.

Palate: Intensely bitter upfront, balanced by subtle sweetness. The gentian takes center stage, bringing a complex mix of earthy, floral, and herbaceous flavors. Citrus notes emerge, along with a slight pepperiness and hints of licorice. The texture is smooth and viscous.

Finish: Long and pleasantly bitter. The gentian lingers, accompanied by a subtle sweetness and citrus zest. A slight dryness develops, leaving a clean, refreshing sensation. Herbal notes persist, with a final whisper of woody spice.

Suze Aperitif is crafted using wild gentian roots harvested from the Jura Mountains in France, which are macerated in neutral alcohol for up to a year. This lengthy steeping process extracts the gentian's distinctive bitter flavors and vibrant yellow color, resulting in a complex and aromatic spirit that captures the essence of the Alpine herb.

  • Suze's vibrant yellow color comes entirely from gentian root, with no artificial dyes added. The bitter herb is hand-harvested from the French Alps, where it grows wild at elevations above 1,500 meters.
  • Despite its French origins, Suze was created by a Swiss distiller named Hans Kappeler in 1889. He named it after his sister-in-law, Suzanne Jaspart, who financially backed the project.
  • During World War II, Suze production nearly ceased due to gentian root shortages. The company resorted to using dandelion root as a substitute, leading to a unique wartime variation of the aperitif that's now highly sought after by collectors.
  • Main Ingredient: Gentian
    Country of Origin: France

    5.0
    Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
    Based on 3 reviews
    Total 5 star reviews: 3 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
    Best ForRated -1.7 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    100%would recommend this product
    3 reviews
    • Steve H.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      Age Range 55 - 64
      I'm More Into: Cocktails
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Rum, Mezcal, Whiskey, Amari
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      One of My Favorites

      Suze is a wonderful liqueur that has a permanent place in my bar. It has an initial very pleasant sweet taste, skips a beat, and then transforms to a lasting quite pleasant bitterness that trails off on the back of the tongue. Of everything I've tried, it is the ingredient that adds the most depth to cocktails I make — if you like a cocktail that steps through several different flavors with each sip, then you've got to give this a try.

      Besides the classic white negroni, I recommend trying the Golden Lotus, a very well-balanced cocktail.

      • 1 part Suze

      • 1 part gin

      • 1 part Cointreau

      • 1 part lemon juice

      • 3 drops 20% saline

      • Express and retain or discard grapefruit peel

      Or try my personal riff on the Naked and Famous, a cocktail I call the Naked Suzy:

      • 45ml (1.5oz) mezcal

      • 30ml (1oz) Suze

      • 30ml (1oz) Yellow Chartreuse

      • 30ml (1oz) lime juice

      • 6 drops 20% saline

      • lime twist garnish

      Best ForRated -1.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    • Robert W.
      Verified Buyer
      I recommend this product
      I'm More Of A I Like 'Em Both!
      Age Range 35 - 44
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Scotch
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      A Crazy Amaro

      Someone described this to me as a "Mountain Dew Liqour, but in a good way". Although that may sound terrible, Suze is actually really good. Very hard to mix with though, it can easily overpower a beverage.

      Best ForRated -2.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
    • Beth
      I recommend this product
      I'm More Of A Cocktailer
      Age Range 35 - 44
      My Spirit of Choice (if forced to choose!) Whiskey, Mezcal, Amari, Aperitifs
      I Bought This For Myself
      Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Just the perfect touch of bitter

      Great bottle, a bit lesser-known, but still a mainstay of my bar. I like it in a White Negroni!

      Best ForRated -2.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
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    Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.

    Last Updated: 2024-09-07

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