Suze Aperitif

700ml & 40 Proof

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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Tasting Notes

How It's Made

Fun Facts

Product Details

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

Cocktail Recipes

Tour Le Carbet

Ingredients

2 oz Rhum Agricole, like Rhum J.M VSOP

0.75 oz John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum

0.5 oz Suze Aperitif

0.75 oz fresh lime juice

Lime wheel or twist, for garnish

Directions

Put rhum agricole, falernum, lime juice, and Suze in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. Double strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish as you please with a lime wheel or twist.

Mister Fogg's Grog

Ingredients

2 oz Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum

.5 oz Suze

.75 oz grapefruit juice

.75 oz lime juice

.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey & water)

Directions

Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a tumbler and top with a mountain of crushed ice. Garnish with a thin grapefruit wheel and bouquet of mint.