Review: Violet Crown Spirits Midnight Marigold Bitter Cordial

This herbaceous amaro from Violet Crown Spirits was created in collaboration with iconic Austin cocktail bar Midnight Cowboy, where it’s the house amaro. While the producer doesn’t offer much information about its production, it does presumably include marigold flowers in the recipe.

Violet Crown Spirits Midnight Marigold Bitter Cordial Review

You can see them in the orange hue and on the nose, which has a lively florality that instantly evokes the unique scent of the marigold plant. Also present are gentle aromas of cinnamon and caraway seed, giving the spirit an earthy rye bread character that lingers in the nostrils.

The palate kicks off with a rush of marigold petals and a significant sweetness — honey and brown sugar, mixed. Give it a few seconds and bitter gentian grips the tongue, lacing it again with bready, herbal caraway. Hints of ginger, clove, and anise add nuance, but the finish brings marigold flowers back into focus. Combined with a lingering sweetness — admittedly a bit cloying at times — it makes for a uniquely floral spin on the amaro experience. You don’t have to be into marigolds to enjoy it, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

50 proof.

A- / $27

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