Salers Gentian Liqueur 750ml

Description

Salers Gentian Liqueur is a classic French aperitif with a firm, earthy bitterness drawn from yellow gentian root. Vegetal notes of cut grass mingle with citrus peel, mint, anise, and restrained floral sweetness before a dry, rustic finish. Bottled at 16% ABV, Salers is less sweet than many gentian aperitifs and contains no artificial coloring, leaving it with a natural straw hue.

Producer

Distillerie de la Salers was established in 1885, making it the oldest surviving producer of gentian aperitif in France’s Massif Central. Its gentian is cultivated in the Auvergne, where the plant can take around 20 years to reach maturity. The roots are harvested by hand, washed and crushed within 24 hours, then macerated, distilled, blended with botanicals, and aged for more than three years in Limousin oak vats.

Cocktail Suggestions

Salers Gentian Liqueur provides the bitter backbone of a White Negroni with gin and blanc vermouth. It can be used in place of Suze, contributing a drier, earthier profile with notes of wild herbs, citrus peel, and gentian root.

For something brighter, Salers is featured in a Mountain Daisy with Cocchi Americano Bianco, fresh lime juice, and a small pinch of salt. The citrus lifts its floral and vegetal character, while the salt brings forward an unexpectedly agave-like herbal quality.