Cynar is an Italian bitter apéritif of the amaro variety. It is made from 13 herbs and plants, predominant among which is the artichoke, from which the drink derives its name. Cynar is dark brown, has a bittersweet flavor, and its strength is 16.5% Alcohol by volume. It was launched in Italy in 1952.
Cynar is an apéritif (low sugar, low alcohol, meant to stimulate appetite), and can be consumed by itself, or in a number of cocktails. One such cocktail includes Cynar and soda (mixed with soda water and lemon or orange slice, or with cola, eggnog, tonic water, milk, or bitter lemon soda). Europeans often mix it with orange juice, especially in Switzerland and Southern Germany, where Cynar and orange juice is a very popular combination. A variation of the Negroni cocktail uses Cynar in place of Campari, in the same way that a Cynar Spritz replaces Aperol. Because of its artichoke component, Cynar is regarded as a digestif as well as an apéritif.
In Brazil, where it is also produced, it is a very common beverage. It is usually consumed with Cachaça and sweet vermouth in one of the more traditional drinks of Brazil named "rabo de galo", a rough translation of the word cocktail.
In Argentina, where it is also produced locally, it is very common to be mixed with grapefruit soda, usually, Paso de los Toros or Schweppes.
Since 1995 Cynar has been manufactured and distributed by the Campari Group.