This is Stappi Chinotto. Chinotto is a carbonated beverage from Italy made from the juice of the myrtle-leaved orange tree. Our previous experience with the drink (1, 2) were exceedingly bitter for our tastes.

The beverage had a translucent dark brown-red hue with a fragrant, almost herbal aroma distinct to chinotto and intense carbonation. Consumed chilled, a mellow sweetness emerged at the start of each sip, followed by the aromatic notes of chinotto mid-sip, creating a distinct yet manageable bittersweet taste with soft acidity. A hint of the bittersweet notes lingered briefly in the aftertaste. The overall flavour was reminiscent of a craft cola, with chinotto as its citrus focus.

It was undoubtedly the most enjoyable of the three brands we have tried and an enjoyable soft drink in its own right. Remarkably, the sugar content between brands was comparable at around 10-11%. Yet, this version captured the fresh and decisive flavour of chinotto while keeping the intense bitterness at an enjoyable level. If the bitterness of other brands could be compared to drinking a straight espresso shot, this version would be more akin to a long black. We would return for this brand when we’re after a chinotto soft drink.

This Stappi Chinotto contained 750 mL. It was produced in Italy and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2024.