Our favourite digestifs right now

Let’s talk digestives. Or digestifs, if you will. No, we’re not talking about those sad British teeth-cloggers (AKA Digestive biscuits) – we’re talking about the yin to the aperitif’s yang, the marker of a meal well-enjoyed, and a not-so-subtle hint that the conversation isn’t over just yet: the digestif.

We’ve already dropped a comprehensive 101 on this topic, but in short, a digestif is a heavier-flavoured, often herbal liqueur, spirit or sweet wine that’s said to settle your stomach after a hearty meal. Amari, fortified wines, sweet wines and deeper and darker spirits like Scotch all sit in the digestif category. Think of apéritifs and digestifs as the bookends of a meal: the aperitif primes your stomach, and the digestif calms it down. And while they’re supposed to be perfect counterparts – kinda like Simon and Garfunkel – they’ve ended up being more unequal than, well, Simon and Garfunkel (IYKYK). These days, younger crowds are all about the aperitif and the busy aperitivo hours, leaving the digestif for bartenders and those in the know.

And look, we get it. Digestifs can have a ‘grandpa and his mates playing chess’ vibe, but we’re here to tell you that digestifs don’t have to be dusty ’80s cream sherries. They can be tequila, whiskey and other fun spirits. And let’s be real – nothing screams “I’ve got this” more than ordering an amaro or a Scotch after dinner. Peak cool, right?

So, now that we’ve convinced you, what should you be buying? We’ve rounded up a few of our fave digestifs that make great gift and bar cart staples.