Chinato is the name of a family of aromatized wines flavored with cinchona, or China bark, the source of quinine. Most Chinato are made in the northern part of Italy, with the most famous types being Barolo Chinato and Moscato Chinato. Chinato are somewhat related to vermouth, which is flavored with wormwood.
Chinato are typically flavored with other herbs and spices, though they are usually kept secret. Some common brands of Chinato are Michele Chiarlo, Cocchi, and Vergano.
Chinato are incredibly intensely aromatic, with a strong quinine bitterness balancing heavy baking spice notes. They are best served after dinner in small amounts, at a fairly cool temperature.
Some popular cocktails containing Chinato
- Tastes Foundations — Rye, Chinato, Gin, Rum, Bitters, Maple syrup, Donn's Spices #2
- Love Burns — Puerto Rican Rum, Sparkling rosé wine, Chinato, Grapefruit bitters, Lemon juice, Simple syrup
- Suppressor #21 — Cynar, Amontillado Sherry, Chinato, Orange bitters, Grapefruit peel
- Campari Swizzle — Martinique Rum, Campari, Falernum, Chinato, Lemon juice
- Chinato e smoky — Islay Scotch, Chinato, Ramazzotti, Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters
- Spagetti Western — Bourbon, Rye, Chinato, Averna, Bitters
- Fort Point — Rye, Chinato, Apricot liqueur, Lemon peel
- Mancini — Bourbon, Chinato, Crème de Cacao, Bitters, Orange peel
- Ophelia — Bourbon, Chinato, Crème de Cacao, Bitters
- Piedmont Sour — Bourbon, Chinato, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Orgeat
Explore more Chinato cocktails.
Comments
The pictured bottle is the Americano aperitif by producer Chinati Vergano rather than their true chinato bottle which has a different label.