Drunken Botanist

[elainegrey]

I'm enjoying the book The Drunken Botanist and last night, on the ride home from the city, i was stuck in lousy traffic listening to a litany of lemon and bitter and licorice herbs, and magical names i just barely recognize like Campari and Strega and Pastis. I stopped at the grocery store and saw some names, but the bottles are big and i don't know if the purchase is going to be welcome or not. So, I promptly started research at home and now have a list of things that sound like they might be appealing and have really good ratings.

So. Now what?

I wonder if i can buy miniatures at a liquor store. I suppose i could find a bar that is well stocked for cocktails: maybe at a good restaurant?

Hmm. There's actually a 4.5 star Yelp rated (31 reviews) liquor store in easy walking distance. Near our comfy Mexican place. Hmm. Maybe not salmon tonight.

Vittone The Original Fernet Menta Amaro Liqueur 80 proof (40%) minty bitters
Liquore Strega 80 proof (40%) slightly sweet, semi-viscous, and has a bold, complex flavor with strong minty or coniferous notes
Cynar Artichoke liqueur (apertif & digestif) 33.0 proof
Benedictine 80 proof (40%)
Green Chartreuse (110 proof or 55%) It is very sweet, but becomes both spicy and pungent.
Campari 20-28% quintessential astringent
Aperol 11% cf Campari 20-28% orange, rhubarb, and other herbs.
Yellow Chartreuse (80 proof or 40%), which has a milder and sweeter flavour and aroma.
Fernet Branca minty bitters (78.0 proof)

Licorice/Sambuca/pastis/absinthe/Herbs de Majorca

Luxardo Sambuca dei Cesari (76.0 proof)
Romana Sambuca liqueur (84.0 proof)
Pernod Anis Liqueur 80 proof (40%)