Gentian liqueur originated in the French Alps, in the modern-day Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Mentions of "gentian" as an alcoholic beverage first appeared in writing in this region around the late 18th century, but gentian liqueurs did not rise to prominence until the late 19th century, after the invention of the continuous still allowed for the creation of neutral spirits, into which botanicals like gentian could be infused. These liqueurs were first sold as medicinal bitter tonics, but gained popularity as aperitifs.
