Martini & Rossi Elixir Di China Aromatico Liqueur 100 CL Italy 1 litre

A dusty warehouse in Pessione outside Turin, barrels of cinchona bark ageing in the dark, and a recipe that has outlived two world wars and a kingdom. That's where this bottle's story starts.

Expert's Description

Elixir Di China Aromatico by Martini & Rossi is an Italian aromatic bitter liqueur based on cinchona bark, bottled at 31%.

The recipe dates back to 1863, when Martini & Rossi began producing and selling this bitter liqueur under the name "Elixir di China" – made with genuine Corteccia di China Calissaia, the bark of the cinchona tree, historically valued for its quinine content and used against malaria. After the Second World War, the company renamed the product China Martini, the name it still carries today.

The label on this particular bottle is an older type than the China Martini bottles typically found at wine merchants and auction houses today. It references "Antichi provveditori di S.M. il Re d'Italia" – meaning royal warrant holder to the Italian King – but that kind of prestige text was kept on Italian labels for years after the monarchy ended in 1946, so it can't be used to date the bottle reliably. The government excise stamp around the cap can, however. Its wording, "Imposta Fabbricazione Spiriti" and "Contrassegno di Stato," the volume expressed in litres, and the Italian Republic's star emblem all belong to a stamp type used exclusively between 1953 and 1959. This bottle was therefore filled sometime in that decade, most likely in its second half.

The bottle holds 100 CL, a full litre – a size rarely seen today, when 70 CL is the standard. That matches the stamp's own stated format, "da litri 1."

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bitter cinchona bark, dry herbal spice, and a touch of orange peel, in the style of a classic Italian amaro.

Palate

Strongly bitter and herbaceous, with deeper notes of rhubarb and gentian beneath the characteristic China bitterness.

Finish

Long and dry, with a lingering bitterness that fades into dried herbs.

Specifications

Name: Elixir Di China Aromatico
Distillery: Martini & Rossi
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Type: Liqueur (Italian Aromatic Bitter Liqueur)
ABV: 31%
Size: 100 CL
Bottled: 1950s

Flavour Profile

Bitter · Herbaceous · Spiced · Citrus notes

Investment Potential

Medium. Older Martini & Rossi Elixir bottles regularly change hands on international auction houses like Catawiki, and demand for well-preserved, sealed examples of this earlier "royal warrant" label style outpaces demand for the more common 1950s-70s editions that circulate most often in the market.

Did You Know?

The small excise stamp around the cap is actually more reliable for dating this bottle than the label itself. The text "Antichi provveditori di S.M. il Re d'Italia" refers to the Italian King, but that kind of royal prestige wording was kept on labels for years after Italy became a republic in 1946. The stamp's own design – with the Republic's star emblem and its volume stated in litres – was only used from 1953 to 1959, and that's what actually gives the bottle away.

See our full range of Liqueur

Frequently Asked Questions About Martini & Rossi Elixir Di China Aromatico

What is Elixir Di China Aromatico?

It's an Italian bitter liqueur from Martini & Rossi, made with genuine cinchona bark and bottled at 31%. The recipe dates back to 1863 and forms the basis of what later became known as China Martini.

Why doesn't the modern bottle mention the Italian King?

Because Italy became a republic in 1946, and Martini & Rossi could no longer call itself a royal warrant holder. The reference to the King on this label points to a bottling from before that period.

Is this bottle worth collecting?

Its value depends mainly on rarity, condition, and the older label style, which is less common than later China Martini editions. Well-preserved older examples are regularly sought after by collectors at international auction houses.

How is Elixir Di China traditionally served?

The label itself suggests three ways: neat, with ice and soda water, or with hot water and a twist of lemon peel. The bitter, herbaceous character works well both as a digestif after a meal and as a warm drink.

What does Elixir Di China Aromatico taste like?

A pronounced bitterness from the cinchona bark, layered with herbs, gentian, and a touch of citrus. The finish is long and dry.

Where is the liqueur produced?

It's made by Martini & Rossi in Pessione near Turin, in the Piedmont region, where the company has had production since 1864.

What's the difference between this and modern China Martini?

The core cinchona bark recipe is the same, but this bottle carries the older "Elixir di China Aromatico" label and a different bottle size (100 CL) than the versions typically sold today.