The label nearly says all of it: Gentiane. Further bitter. Twenty p.c. What it doesn’t say is that this gentian liqueur from French wine producer Domaine La Bohème has the ability to alter White Negronis for you endlessly. That’s what it’s performed for me. Sub it in for Suze and the drink instantly accommodates innumerably extra layers. At 20 p.c ABV, the liqueur is similar proof as Suze, maybe its closest competitor, however Gentiane is wine-based, giving it a rounder mouthfeel and a juicy style that slowly fades to a lingering, extra-bitter end. But it surely’s not simply White Negronis which are improved with a splash of these items. Something Suze can do, this may do higher. Or, on the very least, bitter-er.
Because the label makes clear, this aperitif liqueur is certainly extra-bitter, however solely on the end, which makes it a delight to drink by itself, barely chilled, because it evolves from one thing virtually fruity into one thing decidedly extra vegetal and natural. It will possibly brighten up a G&T, too, or you possibly can merely high it with tonic. My most popular use is in a White Mezcal Negroni, a drink I now repeatedly make at dwelling thanks solely to Gentiane, which supplies the drink unusual depth; it’s minerally, natural and naturally bitter, however not unexpectedly. It’s a drink that takes you on a journey proper to the bitter finish.
