Cantueso alicantino

Cantueso is a Spanish liqueur made from the flower and the stalks of Thymus moroderi, locally known as cantueso, a small plant from the thyme family. The drink is produced by macerating the plant in neutral alcohol. The macerate is distilled, sweetened, and then rested in barrels for a minimum of two years.

Cantueso is a sweet and herbaceous liqueur. It is clear and colorless, though many producers opt to add caramel to attain amber or dark brown color. Typically, this liqueur has between 25 to 35% ABV. It is usually enjoyed neat, as a digestif, though it can also be used in mixed drinks.

The popular option is to mix cantueso with herbero, another herbal liqueur from Alicante. The official industrial production of this sweet liqueur dates to the mid-19th century, though homemade versions were probably made earlier. It is believed that canteuso was first produced in Monóvar.