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Normal Practitioner's avatar

Have you any ideas for the full proof Cynar? When do you use the 70 proof over the typical 30?

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Peter Suderman's avatar

The truth is that I almost never use the 70. I go through multiple bottles of Cynar a year, but my 70 is several years old at this point.

Part of what I like about Cynar is that it’s quite flavorful — but it’s also lower proof. So that’s how I tend to use it.

That said, I think the best applications for 70 are probably instances where you want the Cynar to be more aggressive in the mix — drinks where it’s the base spirit, like this Colada, or like the Bitter Giuseppe, where it’s the base of a kinda-sorta Manhattan.

The other application that comes to mind is in miniature 50/50 combos where you want the Cynar to stand up to something pushy. Try a simple 1/2 ounce Smith & Cross + 1/2 ounce Cynar 70 — no dilution — as a nightcap on a fall night.

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Bruce N's avatar

I am loving these weird coladas. The first time I made the sherry colada, I thought it was a bit strong... and I also notices I was rolling drunk already... then I realized I had grabbed the wrong Lustau bottle and made it with sherry brandy. But it was still drinkable!

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Chris Buck's avatar

Sorry if this is a dumb question - I'm new to cocktails - but I see that CocoLopez.com has four different products. Which one?

Seeing your love for Cynar makes me want to put in a random plug for the "Thistle" product from the DC-area vineyard that helped spark my interest in cocktails: https://artemisiafarmandvineyard.substack.com

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Peter Suderman's avatar

Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut. (Helpfully it has a picture of a Pina Colada on the can.)

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Chris Buck's avatar

Got it - thanks! The Cream of Coconut product indeed has a picture of a piña colada on the can, but so does the separate product named Piña Colada Mix.

https://cocolopez.com/products

I'm glad it's not the Coconut Water. I find that stuff unpleasant.

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John P's avatar

This seems like it's some banana liqueur and pun away from being Peak Suderman.

Looking forward to giving this a shot tomorrow night.

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Peter Suderman's avatar

We will get to both of those things soon enough.

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Jessica Hughes's avatar

So why not since I already had Coco Lopez and pineapple juice open. So weird. So delicious & I don’t even have to clean the blender.

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