Giffard et Cie

What started as a pharmacist's solution to a summer heatwave became one of France's most enduring liqueur houses. Giffard et Cie has been crafting quality liqueurs and syrups in the Loire Valley since 1885, earning its place among the world's finest producers of cocktail ingredients.

History & Heritage

Émile Giffard founded the company in October 1885 after developing Menthe-Pastille, a clear mint liqueur, during a brutal heatwave in Angers, France. The pharmacist-turned-distiller converted his pharmacy into a distillery when his cooling mint creation proved popular with locals. Five generations later, great-grandchildren Edith and Bruno Giffard maintain the family legacy from their facilities in Avrillé Cedex.

The Liqueurs

Giffard produces an extensive range of liqueurs and syrups using traditional maceration techniques paired with modern extraction methods. Their approach emphasizes natural ingredients, often sourced from the Loire Valley, with slow maceration processes that extract optimal flavors from quality fruits and plants. Notable expressions include their flagship Menthe-Pastille, Crème de Cassis, Elderflower Liqueur, and Banane du Brésil, alongside a comprehensive array of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic syrups.

Why It Matters

In an era of mass production, Giffard represents craft traditions that serious bartenders recognize and respect. Their liqueurs and syrups appear in cocktail bars worldwide, not as afterthoughts but as essential ingredients that elevate classic and contemporary drinks. For those who appreciate the craft behind quality cocktails, Giffard's expressions represent 140 years of refined technique distilled into every bottle.