A Cynar Colada, Obviously

Cynar. Pineapple. Coconut. A match made in someplace weird and delicious.

Speaking of Unusual Coladas: If you can make an Absinthe Colada, or a Sherry Colada, then yes, as some of you guessed, you can also make a Cynar Colada. 

It was inevitable.

Inevitable — and ridiculously, almost comically, delicious. Bordering on too good to be true, to the point where I am practically suspicious of it. There must be a catch. 

But no, it’s just that good. 

There isn’t a whole lot to analyze or break down here. This looks like a Piña Colada — but with Cynar instead of rum. 

I have slightly tweaked the proportions to make the Cynar more prominent in the mix. I’ve added salt/saline in order to heighten the flavors and mitigate some of Cynar’s bitterness. And I have used lemon instead of lime as the sour/acid element, because I usually find that lemon plays better with Cynar. 

But it’s really just a Cynar-ized Colada. That it works so well is more proof of my thesis that you should put Cynar in everything.

The earthy, bittersweet, slightly caramel-y notes of Cynar play wonderfully with both pineapple and coconut, adding spice-rack complexity. Using Cynar as the base transforms what is traditionally a big, boozy rum drink into a low-ABV, aperitiki sipper.

Cynar. Pineapple. Coconut. It’s a match made in someplace delightfully weird and delicious.

This might be my all-time favorite Colada. 

Cynar Colada 

• 8 drops 20 percent saline solution*

• ½ ounce lemon juice

• 1 ounce Coco Lopez

• 2 ½ ounces pineapple juice 

• 2 ounces Cynar 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. 

2. Add ice, then shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until chilled. 

3. Strain into a glass filled with crushed or pebble ice. 

4. Drink through a straw. 

*20 percent saline solution: Combine 1 part salt and 4 parts water, measured by volume, in a saucepan. Heat on low to medium low; do not let boil. Stir gently every now and then until thoroughly combined — no salt sludge on the bottom of the pan —typically about 10 minutes. Store in an eye-dropper bottle. Does not need to be chilled. Lasts for many months.

The Big Gal Will Never Be Tired of Cynar