The Tzartak aperitif was an extremely delicate and difficult-to-make beverage with many different ingredients. When made properly, the evaporation point of the drink's main ingredient was one-half degree lower than the body temperature of the consumer. Thus, the liquid evaporated immediately after it touched the tongue, and the flavor was carried entirely by the vapors. However, the slightest miscalculation in the mixing process would crash the vapor point, and the entire drink would evaporate away.

In 2368, Guinan made a Tzartak aperitif to make a point to Captain Jean-Luc Picard about the delicacy of the timeline. (TNG: "Time's Arrow")