Martini & Rossi China Martini Old version 4 Bitter Liqueur 75 cl 31%

 

In Pessione just outside Turin, cinchona bark and spices have been simmered together since the 1800s, and the result is a bottle that still smells like an old-world apothecary and Italian aperitivo culture at once.

Expert Description

China Martini Aromatica is an Italian Aromatic Bitter Liqueur from Martini & Rossi, bottled at 31%.

The name is a little misleading, because "China" doesn't refer to the country but to cinchona bark, historically the source of quinine and a key weapon against malaria. The recipe traces back to Martini & Rossi's early years in Turin, where production was centralised in Pessione in 1864, still the company's home today. After the Second World War the bottling was renamed from Elixir di China to the name it carries now: China Martini.

The bottle featured here is an older release, with a label design, cap and tax seal typical of Italian spirits bottling from that earlier era — the kind of bottling vintage Amari and Italian aperitif collectors actively hunt for today.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens herbal and faintly medicinal, with the characteristic bitterness of cinchona bark and a whisper of dried orange peel and spice underneath.

Palate

The palate is bittersweet and layered, with orange and citrus meeting a deep herbal bitterness — a balance of sweetness and edge typical of a classic Italian digestif.

Finish

The finish is long and dry, with the bitterness of the cinchona bark the last thing to linger.

Specifications

Name: China Martini Aromatica
Distillery: Martini & Rossi
Region/Country: Italy
Type: Aromatic Bitter Liqueur
ABV: 31%
Size: 75 CL

Flavour Profile

Bitter · Herbal · Spiced · Citrus · Aromatic

Investment Potential

Medium – vintage bottlings from Martini & Rossi's earlier production periods hold a firm place with collectors of Italian Amari and aperitifs, and this bottle's label design is no longer in production.

Did You Know?

The original label still carries the old serving suggestions: neat, over ice with soda water, or with hot water and a slice of lemon — a small handbook in how Italians themselves drank their China Martini decades ago.

Please note: This bottle is sold as a collector's item. The quality of the contents cannot be guaranteed, and the bottle may show scratches and marks – see the photo.

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Frequently Asked Questions About China Martini Aromatica

What is China Martini Aromatica made from?

It's made from a secret blend of wine, alcohol and aromatic herbs, with cinchona bark as the defining ingredient, giving the bottle its characteristic bitterness.

Why is it called China if it's not from China?

The name refers to cinchona bark, not the country. The bark was historically the source of quinine, used against malaria, and lent its name to an entire category of "china" liqueurs in Italy.

Is this bottle rare?

Yes, it's an older release with a label design no longer in use, which makes it interesting to collectors of vintage Italian spirits rather than an everyday pour.

How should an old bottle of China Martini be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, away from direct sunlight, as with most older spirits bottles — both to preserve the label and the contents.

How is China Martini traditionally served?

Classically it's enjoyed neat at room temperature, over ice with soda water, or with hot water and a slice of lemon — three serving styles that were printed directly on period labels.

Does China Martini work in cocktails?

Yes, it works well as a bitter substitute for vermouth or Campari in classic cocktails where a deeper, more herbal bitterness is wanted.

What defines Martini & Rossi as a producer?

Martini & Rossi was founded in Turin in 1863 and centralised production in Pessione in 1864, still its home today. The house is best known for its vermouth, but has made aromatic bitter liqueurs like this one since the 1800s.