PORTLAND, Maine — It's summer, and you have had a lovely afternoon eating your way through Portland's many award-worthy restaurants.

You’re stuffed, but the night is young.

For centuries, bars have included a bottle of something to aid digestion – a digestive (or digestif). These complex alcoholic concoctions are meant to be drunk after a meal to help break down food. Aperitifs serve a similar purpose but are consumed before a meal. Some are bitter, while others are sweet, and Americans seem to be ordering these more and more.

The digestif family is a big one. Italian Amaros include popular drinks like Fernet. Port and sherry wines do the trick. And German Underberg bitters have a cult following in the beer scene. The Aperol Spritz is king of aperitifs.

Ryland Garnet is the general

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