Amaro
Veneto and Emilia-Romagna supply most of our amaro.
Amaro questions
What is amaro?
Amaro is an Italian-style bitter liqueur flavored with botanicals such as herbs, roots, citrus peel, spices, and flowers. Recipes vary widely and are often proprietary. Many amari balance bitterness with sweetness and aromatic complexity. They are traditionally served after meals, but their range of flavors also makes them useful in cocktails, aperitifs, and highballs.
What does amaro taste like?
Flavors can be bitter, sweet, citrusy, earthy, minty, medicinal, or spicy, depending on the botanical recipe. Lighter styles may emphasize orange peel and gentle herbs. Darker, more alpine or medicinal examples can show gentian, rhubarb, licorice, pine, and menthol. Alcohol level and sugar vary, so two bottles labeled amaro can taste very different.
What is the difference between amaro and vermouth?
Unlike amaro, vermouth is aromatized, fortified wine. Amaro is a bitter liqueur, usually based on neutral spirit or another alcoholic base infused with botanicals and sweetened. Both use herbs and roots and appear in classic cocktails, but vermouth usually has lower alcohol and a wine-derived character. Amaro is generally more concentrated, bitter, and suited to smaller pours.
How do you drink amaro?
Drink amaro neat, over ice, with soda, or in a cocktail. A simple serve with an orange or lemon peel highlights many styles. Lighter amari can work as aperitifs before dinner, while darker, more bitter bottles are often enjoyed afterward. Start with a small pour, since bitterness varies substantially and some amari have a notably high alcohol content.