Byrrh is an aperitif [ingredient=amaro amaro] first produced in 1886 by Simon Violet and his brother Pallade. By 1935, Byrrh was the most sold aperitif in France, with sales of 35 million liters. In the late 1960's, regulatory changes led to a shift in production towards Vin Doux Naturel, a type of fortified dessert wine, and away from aperitif drinks like Byrrh. This led to the family selling the label to Pernod-Ricard in 1977.
Byrrh is made from partially fermented Grenache and Carignane grapes that have a bit of alcohol added to them (called mistelle) that then has dry red wine added to it before being flavored with cinchona bark and other herbs and spices. The resulting aromatized wine is then aged in large, neutral oak barrels for three years before bottling. Byrrh is 34 proof.
In 1999, Pernod-Ricard introduced Byrrh Rare Assemblage, which is aged for ten years in small oak barrels.
Some popular cocktails containing Byrrh
- Marseille, July 4th, 1895 — Byrrh, Demerara Rum, Gran Classico, Cherry Liqueur, Pelinkovac, Cognac, Bitters, Grenadine, Rose water, Lactart
- Harajuku — Japanese Whisky, Byrrh, Gran Classico, Chocolate bitters, Orange peel
- Eyes on the Table — Mezcal, Byrrh, Aperol, Elderflower liqueur, Bitters, Orange peel
- Frank of America — Rye, Ramazzotti, Byrrh, Bitters, Maple syrup, Orange peel
- Lafayette — Applejack, Byrrh, Dry vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, Orange bitters
- The Reluctant Saint — Mezcal, Byrrh, Campari, Crème de Cacao, Absinthe, Orange peel
- Hugo Montenegro — Tequila, Amaro Montenegro, Byrrh
- My Idea of Fun — Haitian Rum, Blended rum, Overproof rum, Byrrh, Sherry, Bitters, Cinnamon syrup, Orange peel, Nutmeg
- El Momento Perfecto — Puerto Rican Rum, Aromatized wine, Byrrh, Campari, Bitters, Orange marmalade
- Bonnie & Clyde — Cognac, Amontillado Sherry, Byrrh, Bénédictine, Bitters