Post #376700 by TorchGuy on Mon, Apr 28, 2008 7:25 AM

Cynar (pronounced "CHEE-nar") is unusual, and an acquired taste. Slightly bitter. If you like the sweet/bitter/astringent effect of Moxie Cola, you'll probably like it. Cynar is made from the artichoke plant, not the leaved fruits we usually eat. It has some sort of rep for being an aphrodesiac. It's not expensive, either - in CA at BevMo, a 750ml bottle is around $15. Find a bar that has it and try it there first.

I'm nuts about unusual alcohol, and I seek out odd stuff - mostly liqueurs - regularly. Here are a few I enjoy:
Damiana is a liqueur with supposed aphrodesiac qualities, a very sweet honey-colored liquid that I can see mixing well and being difficult to identify, maybe good for your Mystery drink? Comes in a cool South American "pregnant earth mother statue" bottle that looks great with tiki stuff.

Agavero is a liqueur made from Anejo and Reposado tequila and Damiana leaf, and is very, very tasty if you love the smoky agave flavor of good tequila. Good in top shelf rocks margaritas, too, instead of (or in addition to) an orange liqueur. Both of these should be available in many places, as is Cynar. BevMo stores in CA carry all three.

I know of two other unusual liqueurs that are very much worth trying. The first is Creme de Violette. A rich purple color but, unlike the orange-and-vanilla Parfait Amour, this is actually made with violets, and tastes like liquid violet. It's very sweet, but I find it excellent for a light sip. No brand of this has been available (at least, not anywhere near the states) for at least 30 years, but now Rothman & Winter of Austria are making and importing it, theirs being made with Queen Charlotte and March violets. It's in two test markets so far: NYC and CA. Contact Rothman & Winter's US distributor online by phone to ask who has it - I bought mine at BevMo in Santa Clara, but many BevMos in the San Jose area have it. It's an essential ingredient in a proper Aviation Cocktail, changing it from cloudy white to a very pale sky-blue tint!

The other, I refer to as "magic in a bottle", and it must be tasted to be believed. St. Germain is made from elderflowers. Elderflower bar syrup has been available for a while, but it is extremely, cloyingly sweet, due to being made from freeze-dried flowers, a necessity because elderflowers bloom for only three days a year. The French makers have on hire 30-40 gypsies they refer to as "un hommes bohemien", Bohemian men; they are sent into the foothills with bicycles equipped with wooden frames. They hand-pick fresh flowers, put them in sacks and load these on the frames, and ride them to market for a quick trip to the distillery, to be used fresh. St. Germain has a bit of some sort of citrus added, they claim, but I can't taste it. I taste and smell peach, pear, lychee, vanilla, slight hints of all of these. I cannot describe the flavor, save that it's absolutely magical! Bottle is realluy cool, too, sort of a fluted crown shape, looks neat sitting on your shelf and people will ask "What's that? It's so pretty!" I'll bet this, too, could be a key ingredient in "Mystery drinks" that will completely throw off any attempts by your guests to identify the specifics. People who taste my stock usually try to identify one predominant flavor in it, and end up stumbling over a few before admitting that they're stumped. But not one person I've met hasn't liked it, and many get addicted quickly and go grab their own bottle. This is easier to find than Creme de Violette.

And by the way... If you have access to both of these and a narrow cordial glass, fill it halfway with St. Germain, then top gently with Creme de Violette. You don't want to float it, but don't want complete mixing either - there should be a lighter color at the bottom. This is a great sipping cordial mix if you enjoy very sweet, aromatic stuff.