Digestivi

Averna

Name: Averna
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 drink
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1½ oz (45 ml) Averna; Optional: ice and a slice of lemon or orange

The short answer

Averna is a Sicilian amaro — a bittersweet herbal liqueur with notes of orange, caramel and herbs — usually sipped neat or on ice after dinner.

Style: Sicilian amaro, round and caramel, 29% ABV
Glass: Small tumbler or rocks glass
Strength: About 29% ABV

Where it comes from

Averna comes from Caltanissetta in Sicily and is one of Italy's best-known amari. Like other amari it is made by infusing herbs, roots and citrus in alcohol and sweetening it; the exact recipe is kept by the producer.

What you need

1½ oz (45 ml) Averna
Optional: ice and a slice of lemon or orange

How Larry builds it

01
Pour. Neat at room temperature, or over a single cube.
02
Add citrus. A slice of lemon or orange brightens it.
03
Serve after dinner. The classic Italian digestivo moment.

Larry’s rule: The gateway amaro. Soft enough to convert anyone.

Variations worth making

Amaro Sour
Averna, lemon and sugar, shaken.
Averna and tonic
Over ice, topped with tonic and an orange slice.

Questions people ask

What is Averna?

A Sicilian amaro — a bittersweet herbal liqueur.

How do you drink Averna?

Neat or on ice after a meal, with a slice of citrus, or in an Amaro Sour.

Is Averna sweet or bitter?

Both. It is one of the softer, sweeter amari, with a gentle bitter finish.

Is Averna a digestif?

Yes. In Italy amari are traditionally served after dinner as a digestivo.

What to eat with it

Pair with

Italian desserts

Pair with

Italian cheese guide

Pour it like Larry

The decanters, openers and glasses Larry keeps behind the bar.

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Order Averna with sausage and peppers at the spots on Larry’s lists:

Food lists & pilgrimage ideas

Larry's Pilgrimage List — Top 100 Pilgrimage — By US State Pilgrimage — UK & Europe World City Guides Sausage & Pepper Pizza Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches Top 100 Italian Restaurants Top 100 Italian Drinks

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Sambuca con la Mosca

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Vin Santo with Cantucci

Sweet Tuscan dessert wine

← All 159 Italian drinks

Quoting or citing this drink? Credit “Uncle Larry Adventures” and link to https://unclelarryadventures.com/beverages/averna.