Who created the Bitter Giuseppe?

Chicago bartender Stephen Cole, who put it on the menu at The Violet Hour — it's since become one of the best-known modern Cynar cocktails, showing up on menus nationwide.

Can I make a Bitter Giuseppe without orange bitters?

Yes — Angostura bitters is a close, widely available substitute and is what this recipe uses by default.

What's the best sweet vermouth for a Bitter Giuseppe?

A rich, full-bodied sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica-style) holds up best against Cynar's bitterness — a lighter vermouth can get lost.

Aperitif/Liqueur · Modern Classic · Bittersweet

Bitter Giuseppe Recipe

A Cynar Manhattan for people who think Manhattans need more bitterness. Bittersweet and herbal — Cynar's artichoke-based bite meets sweet vermouth's dried-fruit warmth, brightened by a touch of lemon. A modern spin on the stirred, spirit-forward classic.

Prep Time: 1.5 min
Method: Stirred
Glass: Rocks glass
Strength: Spirit-forward

Every recipe on Sipped Right is tested for taste and balance before it's published.

Last updated October 20, 2026

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About the Bitter Giuseppe

Chicago bartender Stephen Cole created the Bitter Giuseppe at The Violet Hour, where it first appeared on the menu as a Cynar riff on the Manhattan. It's since spread to bars across the US as one of the better-known modern Cynar cocktails.

Cynar makes up roughly 60% of the pour against 1oz of sweet vermouth — close to Manhattan proportions, but with Cynar's bitter artichoke edge standing in for whiskey's warmth. The result reads closer to a stirred amaro cocktail than a whiskey drink, spirit-forward but genuinely bitter rather than sweet.

Bitter Giuseppe cocktail served in a Rocks glass

Ingredients

Servings

Cynar2 oz
Sweet Vermouth1 oz
Lemon Juice¼ oz
Orange Bitters3 dashes

3 dashes Orange Bitters.

Method

Measure and pour the Cynar, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
Add a scoop of ice to the mixing glass.
Stir for 30 seconds.
Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over ice.
Cut a swath of lemon peel.
Express the peel over the drink and drop it in.

Stirring the Bitter Giuseppe into a chilled rocks glass

Close-up of the garnish on a Bitter Giuseppe, expressed over the glass

Glass & Garnish

Rocks glass, over ice. Garnish with an expressed lemon twist, its oil lifting the bitter Cynar and sweet vermouth without adding sweetness of its own.

Notes

Scales cleanly for batching; add the citrus and bitters fresh at service.

Tools Used

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Mixing glass Jigger Bar spoon Julep strainer Y-peeler Rocks / Old Fashioned glass

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FAQ

Who created the Bitter Giuseppe?: Chicago bartender Stephen Cole, who put it on the menu at The Violet Hour — it's since become one of the best-known modern Cynar cocktails, showing up on menus nationwide.
Can I make a Bitter Giuseppe without orange bitters?: Yes — Angostura bitters is a close, widely available substitute and is what this recipe uses by default.
What's the best sweet vermouth for a Bitter Giuseppe?: A rich, full-bodied sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica-style) holds up best against Cynar's bitterness — a lighter vermouth can get lost.

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