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15 Must-Try Digestif Cocktails

After a good meal, you deserve a digestif cocktail that does more than just please your taste buds. It aids in digestion and wraps up your meal perfectly. You’ll find a mix of herbs, bitters, and spirits in these drinks, each chosen for its digestive properties. They’re simple yet sophisticated, making your dinner feel complete. The guide offers a selection tailored to every taste, ensuring you’ll find something to enjoy. Check out this roundup for the best post-dinner sips.

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Negroni

orange negroni cocktail on countertop

Enjoy one of the best digestif cocktails, the masterfully crafted Negroni, which is produced with the finest ingredients and has a deep, complex flavor. An initial citrus burst gives this time-tested recipe its acidic edge and stimulates the senses while counteracting the sweetness of the other ingredients. Wine is added to the concoction, which deepens the flavor and gives it a delicate richness and depth. With each sip, a carefully selected combination of spices and herbs creates a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.


Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

One of the finest digestif drinks to enjoy throughout the cooler months is a warm and cozy Hot Toddy, since nothing beats one when the weather gets chilly. This beverage has been a wintertime favorite for decades and is made with a combination of whiskey, black tea, heated water, lemon juice, and honey. If you want to relax after a long day or just want a warm drink to make you feel better on a cold night, a hot toddy is one of the best digestif drinks to try.


Classic Manhattan

manhattan cocktail

Enjoy the classic sophistication of a Manhattan cocktail, one of the greatest digestif drinks that has endured the test of time. The fundamental component of the Manhattan is the selection of bourbon or rye whiskey, which gives the drink its unique flavor. While the mix of orange bitters and Angostura bitters gives the beverage a nuanced and fragrant twist, the sweetness of the vermouth gives it depth and richness. Served over ice, the Classic Manhattan is a smooth and refreshing drink that is perfect for sipping after a meal or on a special occasion. 


Vesper

vesper cocktail with bottles of ingredients in the background

The Vesper is a classy cocktail that oozes refinement and flair. It is well recognized for being the beverage of choice of the famed fictional character James Bond. Made with just four simple yet carefully selected ingredients – gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc, and lemon. Its crisp and refreshing flavor, paired with its timeless elegance, make it an ideal option for special events or a classy evening drink.


Negroni Sbagliato

negroni sbagliato cocktail

The Negroni Sbagliato is a wonderful variation on the traditional Negroni that includes some fizz for good measure. To create the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly, all you need is some sweet vermouth, some Campari, and some Prosecco, plus a twist of fresh orange peel for garnish. Whether enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, the Negroni Sbagliato is a delightful and sophisticated cocktail that is sure to please the palate of both seasoned cocktail enthusiasts and newcomers alike.


Americano

a glass of Americano cocktail

The Americano cocktail is a harmonious blend of flavors that creates a truly unique and unforgettable taste experience. This traditional Italian aperitif is characterized by a wonderful harmony of bitter, sweet, and reviving flavors that make it a treat for the tongue and palate. The distinctive flavor profile of the Americano is distinguished by its overtones of bitterness, which derive from the well-known Italian bitter liqueur, Campari. The silky sweetness of the sweet vermouth skillfully counterbalances the strong and assertive bitterness that the Campari contributes. The result is a taste that is well-balanced, nuanced, and delightful without being too sweet or harsh.


White Russian

Bartender finishing a White Russian cocktail

The White Russian cocktail is a thick, creamy beverage that is popular for its luxurious flavor. Vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream come together in this traditional drink to produce a luscious taste. Since its sweet and creamy flavors can help calm the palate after a meal, the White Russian is a great option for a digestif drink. It has a warm and fulfilling flavor that is ideal for sipping and savoring, much like a dessert in a glass.


Vieux Carre

Vieux Carre

The Vieux Carré has a flavor that strikes the ideal mix of sweet, bitter, and herbal undertones. As a traditional drink with a long history that began in New Orleans, sipping a Vieux Carré is like taking a sip of history. It is recommended to taste food slowly so that the complex flavors may develop on the tongue. The combination of the different components results in a well-rounded and nuanced flavor profile.


Scofflaw

Scofflaw

The Scofflaw is a traditional cocktail with a distinctive and well-balanced flavor profile that makes it a popular option for drinkers looking for a classy digestif. The combination of sweet, sour, and bitter tastes in this cocktail, which is made with rye whiskey, French vermouth, fresh lemon juice, orange bitters, and grenadine, makes for a wonderful drinking experience. The diverse components work together to provide a taste profile that is rich and harmonious and both refreshing and energizing. It’s a cocktail with a lingering flavor, making it a standout option for a digestif after dinner that will delight your palate and improve your evening.


French 75

french 75 cocktail on a bar

The legendary cocktail that is the French 75 has a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that can’t be found in any other beverage. The combination of the Champagne’s fizziness, the gin’s botanical complexity, and the fresh lemon juice’s acidic sharpness creates a delightful and invigorating harmony of flavors. This iconic cocktail has a rich history, believed to have originated in the 1920s during the Prohibition era in the United States. Over the years, it has become a beloved classic, cherished for its elegant and refined taste.


Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz Cocktail

The Aperol Spritz is a beloved Italian cocktail known for its refreshing and bittersweet taste. It is achieved by combining Prosecco with bitter citrus, fragrant botanicals, and just a touch of sugar. Cocktail aficionados generally select this one as the best drink to have after dinner due to its unusual flavor, lengthy history, and dazzling look.


Death in the Afternoon

death in the afternoon cocktail

The taste of Death in the Afternoon is complex and intense, with the distinctive flavors of absinthe and champagne coming together in a harmonious balance. Absinthe, a highly aromatic and herbaceous spirit, brings a licorice-like flavor with hints of anise and fennel, while the Champagne adds a sparkling and crisp quality to the drink. The result is a refreshing and invigorating cocktail with a unique twist.


Espresso Martini

espresso martini cocktail

A well-known and decadent drink with British roots, the Espresso Martini is praised all over the world for its complex tastes and silky texture. The Espresso Martini is the ideal option for people seeking a digestif cocktail that mixes the powerful tastes of coffee with the smoothness of vodka. Its combination of coffee, vodka, and other complementary ingredients creates a taste sensation that is both bold and smooth, making it a perfect choice for coffee and cocktail lovers alike. 


Boulevardier

a glass of boulevardier cocktail

The Boulevardier is the ideal digestif drink to sip following dinner or when out with friends in the evening. Bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth work together to provide a well-rounded taste profile that is both bitter and sweet. Cocktail connoisseurs favor it because of its strong flavors and complexity. It’s a fantastic option for individuals who enjoy a strong, elegant beverage that is not overly sweet.


Last Word

Last Word

The Last Word cocktail is a famous drink with a global following among cocktail connoisseurs because of its distinct and interesting flavor profile. It’s created with four basic but unique ingredients: gin, maraschino liqueur, green chartreuse, and fresh lime juice. When these components are mixed, they produce a well-balanced drink that is both refreshing and sophisticated. The Last Word is served straight up in a chilled cocktail glass with a brandied cherry for sweetness and aesthetics.


A timeless and elegant Classic Manhattan cocktail, served in a traditional martini glass on a polished wooden bar surface. The cocktail is a deep amber color, perfectly clear, reflecting the blend of whiskey and vermouth. It's garnished with a cherry on a small skewer, resting across the rim of the glass. The background features a classic bar setting, with a sophisticated ambiance, dim lighting, and shelves of premium spirits in the background. The focus is on the drink, highlighting its refined and classic appearance, set against the backdrop of a luxurious and traditional bar atmosphere.

15 Digestif Cocktail Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.7 from 3 votes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: digestif cocktails
Servings: 1
Author: Paul Kushner
Discover the perfect digestif cocktail to complete your meal. Easy to follow recipes inside. Find your favorite now!

Instructions

  • Pick your favorite recipe
  • Gather all the needed ingredients
  • Prep a digestif cocktail in less than 5 minutes
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and let us know how it was!
15 Must-Try Digestif Cocktails
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4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Paul Kushner

Written by Paul Kushner

Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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A sophisticated and aromatic Italian Espresso Martini, served in an elegant martini glass on a sleek, modern bar counter. The cocktail is a rich, dark brown, almost black, embodying the intense flavor of freshly brewed Italian espresso. It's topped with a creamy, light brown foam, and garnished with a few coffee beans. The background is a stylish and contemporary bar setting, with a minimalist design, ambient lighting, and an array of high-end spirits and bar tools. The focus is on the cocktail, highlighting its luxurious and robust appearance, creating an inviting and upscale atmosphere.

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