Wikipedia Article About Cynar on Wikipedia Cynar is an Italian bitter apéritif liqueur made from 13 herbs and plants. Most predominant among these is, unusually, the artichoke (Cynara scolymus), from which the drink derives its name. Cynar is dark brown in color, has a bittersweet flavor, and its strength is 33 proof (16.5% alcohol). Cynar can be drunk as either an aperitif (generally over ice), or as a cocktail (mixed with soda water and lemon or orange slice, or with cola, tonic water, or bitter lemon soda). Because of its artichoke component, Cynar is also regarded as a digestive.