We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beverages

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Byrrh?

By Laura Evans
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,809
Share

Byrrh is a French beverage that is consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Developed in 1866, this aperitif is a combination of red wine and quinine water, although tonic water can be used instead of quinine. In addition, the wine can include spices such as Ceylon cinnamon as well as elderberry peel and cacao. Grapes used to make this wine include Grenache, Carignan and Muscat. Production of this wine beverage centers in Thuir, France.

Developed by two French brothers, Simon and Pallade Violet, who were drapers, the aperitif was originally sold as a tonic in pharmacies and then later, to restaurants and bars. Drapers were men who sold cloth or clothing. After a lawsuit was filed by the French pharmacist union, the Violets dropped references to quinine and advertised the beverage under the Byrrh label.

Many art nouveau and art deco posters were created to advertise this aperitif, including one that was made in the early 1900s by Austrian illustrator Raphael Kirchner (1876-1917). Kirchner's work was quite risqué for his time. His illustrations were quite popular with soldiers fighting in World War I.

Although production of Byrrh continues in Thuir today, the popularity of the drink started to wane around World War II. In addition, the Violet family is no longer in the business of producing this aperitif. This red wine beverage is rarely exported from France and is hard to find in the United States.

Byrrh should be served cool. The aperitif has a citric or orange aroma and can be paired with olives or nuts. In addition to the "regular" quality red wine mix that is aged for three years, a more expensive variation is available that ages for almost ten years, uses higher quality wines, and has a richer taste.

This red wine beverage can be enjoyed by itself or with a twist of lemon or orange peel. In addition, Byrrh is also a component of mixed drinks. For example, two ounces (about 57 grams) crème de cassis and four oucnes (about 114 grams) of Byrrh combined with soda water results in two servings of “ Byrrh Cassis” that should be served over ice. Another variation for two servings of a mixed drink using this aperitif is two ounces (about 57 grams) rye, two ounces (about 57 grams) dry vermouth and two ounces (about 57 grams) byrrh shaken over ice, strained, and served.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-byrrh.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.