Suze Aperitif is part of our Aperitifs collection. It comes from Suze Aperitif and is crafted in France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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View RecipesSuze 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
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.
Great bottle, a bit lesser-known, but still a mainstay of my bar. I like it in a White Negroni!
I love the bitterness of Campari and wanted to try the White Negroni. It's not bad, but it's also not Campari and Campari is really what makes a Negroni.
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Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.