Punt è Mes

According to Playboy's Host & Bar Book, Punt è Mes is a "deep, dark Italian aperitif wine known for its provocative bitterness.... It will cause you first to shudder, then instantly to ask for more."

We're not too sure about that, but we do occasionally like to substitute a dash or two of this liqueur for the sweet vermouth in a Negroni.

This bitter's name comes from the old Milanese stockbrocker term "punt è mes," meaning "point and a half." A proprietary liqueur distilled by Carpono, Punt è Mes gets its bitter taste from quinine.