Suze Gentian Liqueur 20%

Additional information

Origin	France
Vintage	NV
Bottle sizes	70cl

Description

Suze Gentian Liqueur is a French bitters usually served as an aperitif and an essential cocktail ingredient, most notably used in a White Negroni. It is a bright yellow, bittersweet liqueur.

Suze Gentian Liqueur: A Historic French Aperitif Since 1889

Suze was created in 1889 for the Paris World Fair by Ferdinand Moureaux, who ran his family’s distillery in Maisons-Alfort in the suburbs of Paris and Henri Forte. It was initially known as Picotin, an old French term for a peck, a dry measure for grain, but was renamed Suze in 1898. It is not known whether the name change was influenced by Moureaux’s sister-in-law Susanne Jaspert or the River Suze in Switzerland. The brand has been owned by Pernod Ricard since 1965.

What Is Gentian?

The main botanical ingredient in Suze is Gentian. Gentian is a group of flowering plants belonging to the Gentiana genus known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers and their bitter roots. Beyond the ornamental appeal of their flowers, the gentian root has been prized for centuries for its medicinal and culinary uses. Gentiane is used in a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, including Angostura Bitters and Peychaud’s Bitters, Aperol and Underberg.

Suze uses the wild roots of the Yellow Gentian, which are hand-harvested from the mountainous Auvergne region and the Swiss Jura, and a secret mix of aromatic herbs and spices. These are macerated in alcohol and, in the UK, Suze Gentiane Liqueur is bottled at 20% ABV, whilst it is bottled at 15% ABV across the rest of Europe.

Advertising Success

Suze’s advertising has played a pivotal role in its enduring popularity. Moureaux’s innovative marketing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries integrated Suze into French culture by plastering its imagery on glassware, vehicles, and posters, transforming it into a household name. Between the World Wars, the brand’s sponsorship of the Tour de France in 1933 cemented its status as one of France’s top alcoholic drinks by the 1930s.

Iconic Bottle Design

Inspired by a bottle that he found in the attic, the iconic bottle was designed by the co-creator, Henri Forte, and has not changed since 1896. It is famously depicted in Pablo Picasso’s 1912 collage Verre et bouteille de Suze.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Bright yellow colour

Nose: Intense and harmonious, with fruity aromas and vegetal notes.

Palate: Bitterness and sweetness followed by a fresh taste of gentian roots, a fruity taste of orange and candied fruits.

To Serve

Suze can be served as an aperitif over ice or as a long drink with soda, tonic water or citrus juices. It is also essential in a White Negroni.

Cocktail: White Negroni

Glass: Rocks

Ingredients:

3 cL Gin
2 cL Suze Gentian Liqueur
3 cL Lillet Blanc

Garnish: Lemon Twist

Method: Stir

Steps:

1. Add gin, Suze, and Lillet Blanc to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist.