Averna Amaro

Averna Amaro is a 58-proof, bitter digestif from Italy that’s growing in popularity around the world; a digestif (re: a fancy way of saying “after-dinner drink”) is a category of higher ABV spirits that can help settle the stomach after a particularly indulgent meal. The amaro (“bitter” in Italian) that Averna produces relies on a secret recipe. The story goes that mid-19th century monks crafted the original blend for the liqueur, and the modern brand employs that same ingredient list. While the exact recipe isn’t known, Averna Amaro is a dark, slightly sweet spirit with notes of anise, citrus, rosemary, and sage.

Amaro is a general category of bitter-tasting Italian liqueurs, although Averna’s amaro tends to be a little sweeter than the classic style. Averna Amaro is a dark, appealing digestif with an approachable albeit herbal flavor. While the exact recipe isn’t shared with the public (so it’s hard to be certain), there are several flavors you might recognize: sage, bitter orange, juniper berries, licorice, mocha, and underlying caramel. It’s a strong flavor, so you’ll want to sip Averna Amaro slowly. Because of its sweeter profile, it’s best to serve this amaro well-chilled, which helps mellow the prominent flavors (maybe add a spring of rosemary for a fancy garnish).

Yes, Averna Amaro can be swapped for Amaro Nonino with a few considerations. While both Averna and Nonino are brands of the popular Italian bittersweet liqueur known as amaro, they have slightly different qualities and guarded secret recipes. Amaro Nonino can be difficult to track down, so it’s helpful to have a solid substitute, but Nonino has its own distinct flavors that are difficult to replicate (surprisingly, Jagermeister makes a good substitution in a pinch). Averna Amaro has a slightly lower alcohol content (29% ABV compared to Nonino’s 35% ABV) and tends to have a more forward sweetness overall.

Averna Amaro makes a unique gift for someone interested in making their own cocktails at home or for people who enjoy a nice after-dinner liqueur. The Averna style of amaro is an exceptionally good choice because it has a very approachable flavor. While there are other types of amaro on the market, Averna has a moderate level of intensity and a gentle balance of bitter and sweet. Amari (the plural form of amaro) can pack some pretty overwhelming flavors (like licorice and juniper). So you’ll definitely want to opt for a bottle of Averna Amaro if you’re unsure of your host’s previous experience with this particular style of Italian liqueur.