The Brooklyn duo behind Forthave was an early adopter of American-made, Italian-style liqueurs with the popular Red bitter. The distillery’s new release, Mithradates, follows the historical track it began exploring with the Marseilles amaro, which is based on a medieval recipe. The vino amaro (i.e., wine-based amaro) is, according to co-owner Daniel de la Nuez, “a complex and delicious digestivo” inspired by Mithradates IV, the ruler of Anatolia circa 100 BC.

After multiple attempts to poison him, king Mithradates labored to develop an antidote that was effective against all herbal poisons of his time. He drank this elixir daily, and it was said he became immune to poison. His "Mithradatum" became famous throughout the Roman empire and was replicated and recorded in recipes that survive to this day. Such immunity is NOT guaranteed, but this tonic is sure to offer deep bitter herbal notes of cardamom and wormwood in a spicy and vinous package that will satisfy the curiosity of any modern amaro afficianado.