Drinks & liqueurs
Palo de Mallorca: Mallorca's dark traditional aperitif
Dark, bittersweet and with a hint of caramel: Palo de Mallorca is the aperitif you can order at any bar on the island – and one that is barely known outside Mallorca.
The short answer
Palo de Mallorca: Mallorca's dark traditional aperitif
Palo de Mallorca is a dark bitter liqueur made from cinchona bark, gentian root and caramel, traditionally drunk as an aperitif with soda and ice, and it carries the protected designation I.G.P. Palo de Mallorca.
What is palo?
Palo is a dark, syrupy bitter liqueur whose main ingredients are cinchona bark and gentian root, with added caramelised sugar. It originated as a tonic but today is mainly enjoyed as an aperitif. Its taste is bittersweet with a slightly tart note.
The I.G.P. Palo de Mallorca quality seal
Palo de Mallorca is registered with the EU as an I.G.P.; the protected geographical indication guarantees production on the island. This sets palo apart from generic bitter liqueurs from elsewhere. The seal gives buyers reliable guidance when purchasing.
How it's served: with soda and ice
Classically, palo is served as palo amb sifó (palo with soda): topped up with soda and chilled with plenty of ice, often as an aperitif before a meal. This mellows the sweetness and makes the liqueur more refreshing. In bars on the island this combination is a menu staple.
Where to buy palo
Palo with the I.G.P. label is available in delicatessens, supermarkets and directly from distilleries. When buying, it is worth checking for the seal to make sure it was made on the island. A bottle of palo also makes a good gift to take home.
Practical tips
- Drink palo the classic way, with soda and plenty of ice before a meal.
- When buying, look for the I.G.P. seal to identify products from the island.
- Because of the liquid rules, a bottle of palo belongs in your checked luggage.
- Delicatessens and distillery shops usually have a bigger selection than supermarkets.
Good to know
Price ranges, opening times and airline rules change. We only give verifiable features and orders of magnitude – check details directly with the seller or your airline before buying or flying.
Product knowledge
The specialities on this topic
Wine & spirits I.G.P. Island-wide
Palo de Mallorca
Bitter gentian aperitif
Dark, bittersweet aperitif made from gentian root and cinchona bark – usually served with soda.
- Ingredients
- Gentian root, cinchona bark, caramel, sugar, alcohol
- Diet
- vegan · gluten-free · contains alcohol
- Price range
- Standard bottles in the low double-digit euro range
- Where to buy
- Delicatessens, supermarkets, distillery shops
- Flying
- As with any liqueur: bottle in the suitcase – the 100 ml limit applies in hand luggage.
Last checked: August 2026
Wine & spirits I.G.P. Island-wide
Hierbas de Mallorca
Mallorcan herbal liqueur
Herbal liqueur in the dolces, mesclades and seques styles – the island's digestif.
- Ingredients
- Anise distillate, island herbs, sugar (depending on style)
- Diet
- vegan · gluten-free · contains alcohol
- Price range
- Standard bottles in the low double-digit euro range
- Where to buy
- Weekly markets, delicatessens, distillery shops
- Flying
- Liquids over 100 ml: only in the suitcase, or buy duty-free after security.
Last checked: August 2026
Price ranges, opening times and airline rules change. We only give verifiable features and orders of magnitude – check details directly with the seller or your airline before buying or flying.
| Product | Hand luggage | Suitcase | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo de Mallorca | no | yes | As with any liqueur: bottle in the suitcase – the 100 ml limit applies in hand luggage. |
| Hierbas de Mallorca | no | yes | Liquids over 100 ml: only in the suitcase, or buy duty-free after security. |
Frequently asked questions
How is Palo de Mallorca traditionally drunk?
With soda and plenty of ice, often as an aperitif before a meal.
Is Palo de Mallorca officially protected?
Yes, it is registered with the EU as I.G.P. Palo de Mallorca.
Can I take palo in my hand luggage?
No – as a liquid over the 100 ml limit, the bottle belongs in your checked luggage.
More topics
-
Hierbas
A meal in Mallorca traditionally ends with a glass of ice-cold hierbas. The anise-flavoured herbal liqueur with the protected I.G.P. seal captures the aromas of the island.
-
Edible souvenirs
Instead of a magnet or keyring: flor de sal, cold-pressed olive oil or a little bottle of hierbas tell you more about the island than any mass-produced souvenir.
-
D.O. Binissalem & Pla i Llevant
Two protected designations of origin, two different landscapes: Binissalem in the centre of the island and Pla i Llevant in the east shape Mallorca's winegrowing.
Related
- Restaurants in Mallorca Bars serving palo as an aperitif.
- Travel information Notes on taking liquids with you.
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