Guignolet is a French wild cherry liqueur.

It is widely available in France, including at supermarkets such as Casino

Groupe Casino

Groupe Casino is a large French multinational corporation, formerly part of the CAC 40 index, whose main business is with retail and distribution in hyper and supermarkets. The company's head office is in Saint-Étienne....

and others, but is not widely available internationally.

A leading producer is the company Giffard in Angers

Angers

Angers is the main city in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France about south-west of Paris. Angers is located in the French region known by its pre-revolutionary, provincial name, Anjou, and its inhabitants are called Angevins....

, France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, the same town where Cointreau

Cointreau

Cointreau is a brand of triple sec produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, France. It is drunk as an apéritif and digestif, and is a component of several well-known cocktails. It was originally called "Curaçao Blanco Triple Sec".-Production:...

 is produced. The Cointreau brothers have been instrumental in its reinvention, the original recipe having been lost.

Composition and etymology

It obtains its name from guigne, one of a few species of cherry used in its production. (Black cherries and sour cherries are also used.) It has an alcohol content between 16 and 18º proof (ca. 12%) and has an aroma vaguely reminiscent of whiskey and a very sweet taste.

Uses

It is drunk neat as an aperitif

Aperitif

Apéritifs and digestifs are alcoholic drinks that are normally served with meals.-Apéritifs:An apéritif is usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This contrasts with digestifs, which are served after a meal for the purpose of aiding digestion...

.

The cocktail guignolo is composed of guignolet, champagne and cherry juice.