Digestivi
Amaro (Averna, Montenegro, Nonino)
The short answer
Amaro is a bittersweet Italian herbal liqueur drunk after dinner, made by infusing botanicals in alcohol and sweetening with syrup — usually 16% to 40% ABV.
- Style
- Herbal bitter, 30–35% ABV
- Glass
- Small tumbler or stemmed glass, neat or over one cube
- Strength
- 16–40% ABV depending on the brand
Where it comes from
Most amari began as monastery and pharmacy tonics; the recipes are still secret and regional. Averna is Sicilian and caramel-sweet, Montenegro is Bolognese and floral, Nonino is grappa-based and dry, Fernet-Branca is Milanese and uncompromising.
What you need
- 2 oz (60 ml) amaro of your choice
- Optional: one large ice cube
- Optional: an orange or lemon twist
How Larry builds it
- 01
Pour neat first. Room temperature, no ice, to see what the bottle actually tastes like.
- 02
Then adjust. One big cube softens the bitterness; a twist lifts the citrus botanicals.
- 03
Serve after the meal. Amaro is a digestivo. Before dinner you want an aperitivo — Campari, Aperol, a spritz.
Larry’s rule: Averna is caramel and sweet; Montenegro is floral; Nonino is grappa-based and dry.
Variations worth making
Amaro and tonic
Equal parts over ice with a lemon wheel. A long, lower-proof summer version.
Caffè corretto all'amaro
A splash in an espresso instead of grappa.
Amaro Sour
Amaro, lemon, syrup and egg white, shaken. The gateway cocktail.
Questions people ask
What is amaro?
A bittersweet Italian herbal liqueur, traditionally drunk after a meal as a digestivo.
Which amaro should a beginner buy?
Averna or Montenegro — both are sweeter and rounder. Save Fernet-Branca and Cynar until you have a taste for bitter.
Does amaro need refrigerating?
No. It is high enough in alcohol and sugar to keep for years, though many people prefer Fernet straight from the freezer.
Is amaro the same as vermouth?
No. Vermouth is fortified wine; amaro is a spirit-based liqueur, generally stronger and more bitter.
More from Digestivi
← All 67 Italian drinksQuoting or citing this drink? Credit “Uncle Larry Adventures” and link to https://unclelarryadventures.com/beverages/amaro.