Amaro 102: Beyond Basic Bitters

Amaro 102: Beyond Basic Bitters
(Other working titles included Intermediate Amari & Conversational Amari)

Although my primary focus here at Inu A Kena is rum, one of the most popular articles on the site is an intro to Italian amari called Amaro 101. Since that article was published, I have further developed my love for amari and acquired several others that are less well-known, so I thought it high time to publish a follow-up. Amaro 101 covered eight widely available amari, so let’s take a look at another eight here for Amaro 102.

Braulio Amaro

Hailing from the Alpine region of Valtellina near the Swiss border, Braulio is the brainchild of botanist Dr. Francesco Peloni, who created it in 1875. The botanicals used include gentian, juniper, wormwood, and yarrow—there are at least nine others that remain a secret. These botanicals were traditionally gathered on a hillside named Bormio, hence its inclusion on the bottle. Unique among amari is its finishing—Braulio is aged in Slavonian oak for two years prior to bottling.

Braulio’s aromas include a host of fresh herbs including chamomile, pine, and menthol. It’s fairly sweet and viscous, but manages to stay well-balanced. I purchased my first bottle of Braulio in Tuscany, but I’m happy to report it is now being imported by Domaine Select in New York. Braulio can be found for purchase online at Astor Wines, K&L, and elsewhere.

Description

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/750 ml
Valtellina	42	Gentian, juniper, wormwood, yarrow	Chamomile, pine, menthol	$32

Braulio Cocktails

Peloni
(Chris Danforth via Frederic Yarm)

2 oz Rye
½ oz Braulio
¼ oz Demerara syrup
¼ oz Maraschino liqueur
Dash Angostura bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

High Altitude
(Max Greco via Jason Rowan)

1.5 oz Rye
¾ oz Braulio
¾ oz Dubonnet rouge

Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass over large ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
(Note: Original proportions were 40 ml, 20 ml, 20 ml)

Buy Braulio Online

Amaro Meletti

In 1870, Silvio Meletti began producing a popular anise-flavored liqueur bearing his name. Years later, he added an amaro to the line. Meletti is unique in a few ways, principal among them is the addition of saffron—quite an expensive ingredient indeed.

Meletti is a bit astringent for an amaro, but its somewhat hot and bright entry is tamed quickly by sweetness. The initial flavors are of orange zest, chocolate and licorice. Subsequent sips show cardamom and cinnamon. Meletti can be found online at DrinkUpNY, K&L and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/750 ml
Marche	64	Anise, saffron, violet	Orange, chocolate, licorice, floral	$17

Meletti Cocktails

The Mancini
(Greg Seider via Food Republic)

2 oz Rye
½ oz Meletti Amaro
2 dashes smoked cinnamon bitters
2 dashes orange bitters
Wide orange twist

Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass over large ice.  Garnish with the wide orange twist.

Nerina
(Jason Kosmas / Dushan Zaric via Wine Enthusiast)
1¼ ounces Plymouth gin
1¼ ounces Meletti amaro
1¼ ounces Punt e Mes sweet vermouth
1 orange twist, for garnish

Pour all the liquid ingredients into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and stir for 40 revolutions. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Buy Meletti Online

 

Amaro Montenegro

Amaro Montenegro is one of my hands down favorite amari. I discovered it in Italy, but was pleasantly surprised to find it enjoyed US distribution when I returned. This amaro was created in 1885 by Stanislao Cobianchi, who named it in honor of princess Elena of Montenegro. The bottle is stunning—the label, the shape, I’m seriously tempted to make one into a lamp. Now it’s not the most bitter, nor is it the most alcoholic (just 23% ABV) but its combination of flavors never ceases to put a smile on my face. It also works quite well in cocktails.

Montenegro’s flavors include orange zest, cinnamon, gentian, cacao, and several herbaceous and vegetal notes that can be hard to pin down. Think parsley and cucumber—it all works amazingly well together. Amaro Montenegro can be found online at Hi Time Wine Cellars, DrinkUpNY, Cask and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/750 ml
Bologna	46	Vanilla, orange peel	Orange, clove	$25

Amaro Montenegro Cocktails

La Merced
(Josh Miller, Inu A Kena)

1.5 oz Encanto Pisco
1.5 oz Amaro Montenegro
1.5 oz Carpano Antica vermouth

Stir with ice and strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over large ice. Garnish with a wide orange twist.

Beginner’s Luck
(Eddie Diaz via   Anthony Dias Blue)

1 dash Angostura bitters
1 oz. Amaro Montenegro
4 oz. Prosecco
Citrus zest

Line the glass with a dash of Angostura bitters. Add the Amaro Montenegro, then add Prosecco. Use a generous zest of either orange or a grapefruit, squeezing the rind to release the oils before dropping it into the glass.

Buy Amaro Montenegro Online

 

Nardini Amaro

In 1779, Bartolo Nardini left his hometown and opened a grappa distillery in the town of Bassano—it remains the oldest distillery in Italy. Nardini also operates a famous grappa shop on the Alpini bridge—the enduring symbol of the town itself. Bassano was a hotbed of activity during various wars through the ages; Ernest Hemmingway famously included Bassano in A Farewell to Arms. Today, Nardini makes a wide variety of products including many fine aged grappas and liqueurs.

Amaro Nardini is so dark as to be foreboding in comparison to the lighter amari such as Montenegro, but don’t let it scare you; it’s actually quite refreshing. The initial flavors are of mint and licorice, followed by citrus, a bit of chocolate, and a healthy dose of gentian bitterness. Nardini can be found at DrinkUpNY, Cask, and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/1 L
Veneto	62	Licorice, bitter orange, peppermint, gentian	Licorice, mint, citrus, cacao	$51

Nardini Cocktails

Carroll Gardens
(Joaquin Simo via Jay Hepburn)

2 oz rye
½ oz Punt e Mes
½ oz Nardini Amaro
1 barspoon Maraschino liqueur

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Express a lemon twist over the glass and discard.

Six Inch Gold Blade
(Al Sotack via Frederic Yarm)

1 1/2 oz Smith & Cross Rum
1/2 oz Punt e Mes
1/2 oz Nardini Amaro
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 tsp Laphroaig Scotch
2 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Mole Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe glass. Twist an orange peel over the top and discard.

Buy Nardini Amaro Online

 

Nonino Quintessentia Amaro

While the house of Nonino has been making spirits since 1897 and amari since 1933, Amaro Nonino has only been produced since 1992. Still owned and operated by the Nonino family, they are primarily known for their ÙE, a whole grape, no stem distillate considered by many to be superior to grappa, which is typically made from grape skins and stems. Their amaro is also unique in its finishing—it spends time in nevers, limousin, and ex-Sherry casks prior to bottling.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/750 ml
Udine	70	Gentian, rhubarb, orange peel, quassia wood, tamarind, galenga, licorice, saffron, cinchona	Bitter orange, rhubarb, cinnamon, licorice	$45

I bought my first bottle of Nonino because the sheer volume of cocktail recipes including it was impossible to ignore. One sip and I could see why. The initial flavor you detect is a very pronounced orange. Not just orange zest, but an entire fresh orange. Immediately after the Nonino hits the back of your palate, however, is when things really get interesting. It’s here that you are reminded this is a 35% ABV spirit—there is some significant heat that combines with the bitterness to make even an experienced amari drinker sit up and take notice. The roundness of the Nonino is easy to appreciate, and one can only assume this is owed to its base—not just neutral spirits, but a fine whole grape, no stem grappa. Beyond the orange, you’ll find hints of rhubarb and cinnamon, licorice and tamarind. Fantastico.  Nonino enjoys wide U.S. distribution, and can be found at many places including Hi Time Wine Cellars, Astor Wines & Spirits, K&L, and even BevMo.

Nonino Cocktails

Paper Airplane
(Sam Ross via Kindred Cocktails)

¾ oz Bourbon
¾ oz Amaro Nonino
¾ oz Campari
¾ oz lemon juice

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Spiced Pimm’s Cup
(Joel Teitelbaum via Imbibe)

1 1/2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1
1/2 oz. Amaro Nonino
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. turbinado simple syrup (1:1)
Ginger beer

Shake all but the ginger beer with ice, strain into an ice-filled highball and top with ginger beer. Stir gently to combine and garnish with a dusting of grated cinnamon.

Buy Amaro Nonino Online

 

Rabarbaro Zucca Amaro

Rabarbaro Zucca was created in Milan in 1845 by Ettore Zucca. His amaro found favor with King Vittorio Emanuele, who served it in the royal court, and its popularity soared as a result. The name was borrowed by the famed Zucca in Galleria café opposite the duomo in Milan, where it is still served today.

Another deeply dark-colored amaro, Zucca is noticeably thinner than its competitors. The first taste is undoubtedly rhubarb, followed quickly by the notion of heavily charred wood.  After the smoke and char one can detect mint, just a bit of citrus and a hint of cardamom.  Zucca can be found online at DrinkUpNY, Cask, Astor Wines and Spirits, and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/1 L
Lombardy	32	Rhubarb, cardamom, citrus zest	Burnt rhubarb, bitter orange, mint	$28

 

Zucca Cocktails

Criterium
(St. John Frizell via La Cucina Italiana)

1 ½ oz Zucca
1 ½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz gin
1 tsp superfine sugar
Soda water
Wide grapefruit twist

Add all but soda to a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with soda and garnish with the grapefruit twist.

Roma Borgorock
(Francesco Belei via StarChefs)

1 ½ oz Green Chartreuse
1 ½ Zucca
¾ oz Punt e Mes
4 dashes lemon bitters

Stir and strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and a Luzardo cherry.

Buy Zucca Online

 

Santa Maria al Monte Amaro

Santa Maria al Monte was originally developed by Franciscan monks in Genoa. In 1892, Nicola Vignale commercialized the production, and its popularity has continued in Italy to this day. This amaro is aged in oak for a year prior to bottling.

If you like Fernet Branca, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Amaro di Santa Maria al Monte. It’s made in the Fernet style, after all. Also like Branca, it’s 40% alcohol, so this one is a legitimate post-shift drink contender for our bartending friends. The initial flavor is decidedly mint. There is a significant heat on entry that serves as a healthy reminder of its strength. More vegetal and herbaceous than citrusy, the Santa Maria al Monte still finishes with a kick of bitter orange zest followed by ginseng, menthol and gentian. Santa Maria al Monte is among the driest amari I have tried, so if you find others cloying, this may be the amaro for you. Santa Maria al Monte can be found online at DrinkUpNY, K&L, Vino and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/1 L
Liguria	80	Bitter orange peel, ginseng, aloe, myrhh, rhubarb, saffron, cardamom, cola nut	Mint, orange, ginseng	$28 – $37

Santa Maria al Monte Amaro Cocktails

Bittere Mout
(Bobby McCoy via Frederic Yarm)

2 oz Bols Genever
¾ oz St. Germain
¼ oz Santa Maria al Monte
1 dash orange bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Rude Boy
(Scott Holliday via Frederic Yarm)

2 oz Wray & Nephew Overproof White Rum
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz S. Maria al Monte Amaro
3 drops Orange Blossom Water

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Drop the orange blossom water on top and garnish with a lime wedge.

Buy Santa Maria al Monte Online

 

Vecchio Amaro del Capo

Vecchio Amaro del Capo’s label bears the likeness of its namesake: the Capo Vaticano, a promontory made of near-white granite acknowledged as a holy site since time immemorial. Joseph Gruner founded the Distileria Caffo in 1915–it remains a family-run company. As recently as the 1970’s, del Capo was only distributed in Calabria, and often only consumed ice cold in the Summer months. Today you can find it distributed throughout the world.

Pour a dram of Vecchio Amaro del Capo and dive in nose first. You might think you’ve just run through a field of fennel – to say it smells of licorice doesn’t do justice to the impression of freshness. The first sip yields a similar notion—fennel, licorice, and citrus zest come together with a more than healthy dose of zucchero (that’s sugar, paisano). Following this is a big dash of coriander and a nice bit of grapefruit. Bordering on cloying, Vecchio’s flavors beg to be used in cocktails where additional ingredients might balance its sweetness, which is a bit much for me. I find it works beautifully with Bourbon, but its producers simply suggest drinking it directly out of the freezer. Click here for one of their Italian TV commercials. Del Capo can be found online at DrinkUpNY, Laurenti Wines, Vino, and elsewhere.

Origin	Proof	Known Ingredients	Principal Flavors	Cost/750 ml
Calabria	70	Mandarin orange, anise, chamomile, juniper, licorice, mint, hyssop	Licorice, honey, coriander, grapefruit	$23

Vecchio Amaro del Capo Cocktails

Tennessee del Vecchio
(Josh Miller, Inu A Kena)

2 oz Bourbon
½ oz Vecchio Amaro del Capo
Orange bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.

Momo’
(From Grupo Caffo)

¾ oz Campari
¾ oz Vecchio Amaro del Capo
Soda

Build over ice in a rocks glass.

Buy Vecchio Amaro del Capo Online

 

Conclusion

So there you have it, amici—eight more amari to try either on their own or in cocktails. Keep expanding your bitter horizons and good things are sure to follow. Just like a shot of Fernet Branca has been called “the bartender’s handshake” a love of amari can really bring people together. As I write this, I’m reminded of an amazing meal I enjoyed at an upscale restaurant in Rome. After dessert, I asked our waiter in my best Italian what amari they had, and his face lit up as if I was a long-lost cousin. In perfect English, he told me what they had, but that none of them could compare to the local amaro from his hometown. We had connected over amari. Now it’s your turn!

Salute,

Josh

P.S If you haven’t read my first article about amari entitled Amaro 101, click here—it’s a prerequisite after all. And if you’re ready for MORE amari, check out Amaro 103: Advanced Amari, and Amaro 104: Continuing Education.