Amaro (drink)
Encyclopedia
Amaro is a variety of Italian
herbal liqueur
, commonly drunk as an after-dinner digestif. It is usually bitter and sweet, sometimes syrupy, usually with an alcohol content between 16% and 35%. Amari are typically produced by macerating herbs, roots, flowers, bark, and/or citrus
peels in alcohol, either neutral spirits or wine, mixing the filtrate with sugar syrup, and allowing the mixture to age in cask
s or in bottle.
Dozens of varieties are commercially produced, the most commonly available of which are Averna
, Ramazzotti
, Lucano, and Montenegro
. Commercially produced Amari may contain "natural flavourings" and caramel coloring. A typical Amaro is flavoured with several (sometimes several dozen) herbs and roots. Some producers list the ingredients in some detail on the bottle label. Amari are typically flavored with some of the following: gentian
, angelica
, and cinchona
(China), as well as lemon balm
(melissa), Lemon verbena
(cedrina), juniper
, anise
, fennel
, zedoary
, ginger
, mint
, thyme
, sage, bay laurel
, citrus peels, licorice, cinnamon
, menthol
, cardamom
, saffron
, rue
(ruta), wormwood (assenzio), elder (sambuco), and centaurea minor.
Many commercial bottlers trace their recipe or production to the 19th century. Recipes often originated in monasteries or pharmacies.
Amari are typically drunk neat
, with a citrus wedge, on ice, or with tonic water
.
Amaro should not be confused with amaretto
, another Italian liqueur that is sweet and flavored with almonds or the pits of drupe
fruits such as apricot
s, nor with amarone
, a rich Italian dry red wine from Valpolicella
.
Similar liqueurs have traditionally been produced throughout Europe, with local variations, notably in Germany, where they are called Kräuter Likör, as well as Hungary, Netherlands, France, etc. The term Amaro is typically only applied to such liqueurs which are produced in Italy.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
herbal liqueur
Liqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
, commonly drunk as an after-dinner digestif. It is usually bitter and sweet, sometimes syrupy, usually with an alcohol content between 16% and 35%. Amari are typically produced by macerating herbs, roots, flowers, bark, and/or citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
peels in alcohol, either neutral spirits or wine, mixing the filtrate with sugar syrup, and allowing the mixture to age in cask
CASK
Peripheral plasma membrane protein CASK is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CASK gene. This gene is also known by several other names: CMG 2 , calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase 3 and membrane-associated guanylate kinase 2.-Genomics:This gene is located on the short arm of...
s or in bottle.
Dozens of varieties are commercially produced, the most commonly available of which are Averna
Amaro Averna
Amaro Averna is a Sicilian liqueur in the Amaro category. It is named after its inventor, Salvatore Averna, who invented the recipe in 1868. This drink is produced on the Island of Sicily and is considered a traditional drink....
, Ramazzotti
Ramazzotti (liquor)
Ramazzotti is a medium style Amaro , bottled at 30% alcohol by volume. It is bottled in Milan by Pernod Ricard....
, Lucano, and Montenegro
Amaro Montenegro
Amaro Montenegro is a traditional amaro distilled in Bologna, Italy. It is made using over 40 herbs, bottled at 23%vol. The amaro was first produced by Stanislao Cobianchi in the late 19th century and is named after Princess Elena of Montenegro...
. Commercially produced Amari may contain "natural flavourings" and caramel coloring. A typical Amaro is flavoured with several (sometimes several dozen) herbs and roots. Some producers list the ingredients in some detail on the bottle label. Amari are typically flavored with some of the following: gentian
Gentian
Gentiana is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Gentian family , tribe Gentianeae and monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species, it is considered a large genus.-Habitat:...
, angelica
Angelica
Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far North as Iceland and Lapland...
, and cinchona
Cinchona
Cinchona or Quina is a genus of about 38 species in the family Rubiaceae, native to tropical South America. They are large shrubs or small trees growing 5–15 metres in height with evergreen foliage. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate and 10–40 cm long. The flowers are white, pink...
(China), as well as lemon balm
Lemon balm
Lemon balm , not to be confused with bee balm, Monarda species, is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region....
(melissa), Lemon verbena
Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Common names include Lemon Verbena and Lemon Beebrush. It was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 17th...
(cedrina), juniper
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...
, anise
Anise
Anise , Pimpinella anisum, also called aniseed, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Its flavor resembles that of liquorice, fennel, and tarragon.- Biology :...
, fennel
Fennel
Fennel is a plant species in the genus Foeniculum . It is a member of the family Apiaceae . It is a hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves...
, zedoary
Zedoary
Zedoary is the name for a perennial herb and member of the genus Curcuma Linn., family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to India and Indonesia...
, ginger
Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
, mint
Mentha
Mentha is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae . The species are not clearly distinct and estimates of the number of species varies from 13 to 18. Hybridization between some of the species occurs naturally...
, thyme
Thyme
Thyme is a culinary and medicinal herb of the genus Thymus.-History:Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage...
, sage, bay laurel
Bay Laurel
The bay laurel , also known as sweet bay, bay tree, true laurel, Grecian laurel, laurel tree, or simply laurel, is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glossy leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. It is the source of the bay leaf used in cooking...
, citrus peels, licorice, cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
, menthol
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is -menthol, which is assigned...
, cardamom
Cardamom
Cardamom refers to several plants of the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to India and Bhutan; they are recognised by their small seed pod, triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin papery outer shell and small black seeds...
, saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, rue
Rue
Rue is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs 20–60 cm tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and southwest Asia. There are perhaps 8 to 40 species in the genus...
(ruta), wormwood (assenzio), elder (sambuco), and centaurea minor.
Many commercial bottlers trace their recipe or production to the 19th century. Recipes often originated in monasteries or pharmacies.
Amari are typically drunk neat
Straight up (bartending)
In bartending, the term straight up refers to an alcoholic drink that is shaken or stirred with ice and then strained and served without ice in a stemmed glass....
, with a citrus wedge, on ice, or with tonic water
Tonic water
Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic water usually now has a significantly lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctively bitter taste...
.
Amaro should not be confused with amaretto
Amaretto
Amaretto is an Italian sweet almond-flavoured liqueur. It is made from a base of apricot or almond pits, sometimes both.-Etymology:The name is a diminutive of the Italian amaro, meaning "bitter," indicating the distinctive flavour lent by the mandorla amara--the bitter almond or the drupe kernel...
, another Italian liqueur that is sweet and flavored with almonds or the pits of drupe
Drupe
In botany, a drupe is a fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. These fruits develop from a single carpel, and mostly from flowers with superior ovaries...
fruits such as apricot
Apricot
The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.- Description :...
s, nor with amarone
Amarone
Amarone della Valpolicella, usually known as Amarone, is a typically rich Italian dry red wine made from the partially dried grapes of the Corvina , Rondinella and Molinara varieties. The wine was awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata status in December 1990...
, a rich Italian dry red wine from Valpolicella
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is a viticultural zone of the province of Verona, Italy, east of Lake Garda. The hilly agricultural and marble-quarrying region of small holdings north of the Adige is famous for wine production. Valpolicella ranks just after Chianti in total Italian Denominazione di Origine...
.
Similar liqueurs have traditionally been produced throughout Europe, with local variations, notably in Germany, where they are called Kräuter Likör, as well as Hungary, Netherlands, France, etc. The term Amaro is typically only applied to such liqueurs which are produced in Italy.
Styles
- Medium - typically 32% alcohol by volume, with an even balance between bitter, sweet, and citrus tastes. Examples of this type are RamazzottiRamazzotti (liquor)Ramazzotti is a medium style Amaro , bottled at 30% alcohol by volume. It is bottled in Milan by Pernod Ricard....
, AvernaAmaro AvernaAmaro Averna is a Sicilian liqueur in the Amaro category. It is named after its inventor, Salvatore Averna, who invented the recipe in 1868. This drink is produced on the Island of Sicily and is considered a traditional drink....
, JägermeisterJägermeisterJägermeister is a German 70-proof digestif made with 56 different herbs and spices. It is the flagship product of Mast-Jägermeister SE, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, south of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany.- History :...
, Lucano, Luxardo Amaro Abano, Amaro Bio. - Fernet - more sharply bitter than other amari. Examples include Fernet Branca, Fernet StockFernet StockFernet Stock is a herbal bitters made in Plzeň-Božkov, Czech Republic and in Trieste, Italy. It is flavoured with approximately 14 herbs, imported from the Mediterranean and the Alps...
, Luxardo Fernet, Amaro Santa Maria Al Monte. - Light - Lighter in color than others, usually with more citrus notes. Examples include Amaro Nonino, Amaro Florio, Amaro del Capo, Harry's.
- Alpine - flavoured with 'alpine' herbs, sometimes with a smokey taste, typically around 17% alcohol content. Examples include Amaro Alpino, Amaro Zara, Amaro Braulio.
- VermouthVermouthVermouth is a fortified wine flavored with various dry ingredients. The modern versions of the beverage were first produced around the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Italy and France...
- wine-based spirit, typically with an alcohol content near 18%, with very little bitterness. These amari resemble vermouth. Examples include Amaro Don Bairo, Amaro Diesus del Frate. - Carciofo - made with artichokeArtichoke-Plants:* Globe artichoke, a partially edible perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean* Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower with an edible tuber...
, usually around 17% alcohol content. These amari are usually taken as an aperitif, rather than a digestif. Examples include CynarCynarCynar is an Italian bitter apéritif liqueur made from 13 herbs and plants. Predominant amongst these is the artichoke , from which the drink derives its name...
and Carciofo (multiple producers). - Tartufo - made with black truffles, bottled at 30% alcohol. Amari of this type are produced in the central Italian region of UmbriaUmbriaUmbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, which is known for its truffles, as well as in San MarinoSan MarinoSan Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
. - China - made with bark of CinchonaCinchonaCinchona or Quina is a genus of about 38 species in the family Rubiaceae, native to tropical South America. They are large shrubs or small trees growing 5–15 metres in height with evergreen foliage. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate and 10–40 cm long. The flowers are white, pink...
calisaya. The oldest and most popular brand is China Martini, based in Turin. It could be drunk hot. - Rabarbaro - made with rhubarb. The oldest and most popular brand is Zucca, based in Milan. It could be drunk hot.
- Miscellaneous - made with honey ('miele'), rhubarb ('rabarbaro'), fennel ('finochetto', typical of Ischia and the Amalfi CoastAmalfi Coast-In popular culture:The Amalfi Coast is a popular destination among tourists. It was featured in "Positano," a short story written by American author John Steinbeck in 1953...
), metals (e.g. Ferro China Bisleri, which contains ferrous ammonium citrateAmmonium ferric citrateAmmonium ferric citrate is a food additive with E number E381 used as an acidity regulator. It is a green or reddish-brown powder which is very soluble in water....
), unripe green walnuts ('amaro nocino', a more bitter form of nocinoNocinoNocino is a sticky dark brown liqueur from the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It is made from unripe green walnuts steeped in spirit. It has an aromatic but bittersweet flavor. It may be homemade, and is also available commercially in bottled form...
).
Brands
The following brands are commercially produced:Italy
- Amaro 18 Isolabella
- Amaro Abruzzese
- Amaro Antico de Capua
- Amaro Asiago
- Amaro AvernaAmaro AvernaAmaro Averna is a Sicilian liqueur in the Amaro category. It is named after its inventor, Salvatore Averna, who invented the recipe in 1868. This drink is produced on the Island of Sicily and is considered a traditional drink....
- Amaro Braulio
- Baroche Amaro Bio (an all-organic amaro)
- Amaro Borsci
- Amaro Campano
- Amaro Ciociaro
- Vecchio Amaro del Capo
- Amaro del Carabiniere
- Amaro dei Trulli
- Amaro di Sicilia
- Amaro di Etna
- Amaro Don Bairo
- Amaro ErbesAmaro ErbesAmaro Erbes is a brand of amaro produced by the limited company Fratelli Izzi S.r.l. in Fondi...
- Amaro Florio
- Amaro Giuliani
- Amaro Gambarotti
- Amaro Lucano
- Amaro Medeiterraneo
- Amaro Mio
- Amaro MontenegroAmaro MontenegroAmaro Montenegro is a traditional amaro distilled in Bologna, Italy. It is made using over 40 herbs, bottled at 23%vol. The amaro was first produced by Stanislao Cobianchi in the late 19th century and is named after Princess Elena of Montenegro...
- Amaro Nonino
- Amaro Penna
- Amaro Poli
- Amaro RamazzottiRamazzotti (liquor)Ramazzotti is a medium style Amaro , bottled at 30% alcohol by volume. It is bottled in Milan by Pernod Ricard....
- Amaro san Giuseppe
- Amaro Santa Maria Al Monte
- Amaro Savoia
- Amaro SibillaAmaro SibillaAmaro Sibilla is an Italian liqueur in the Amaro category. It is produced by the Varnelli S.p.A., a distillery in Pievebovigliana, in the Province of Macerata....
- Amaro Tonico di Varnelli
- Amaro Viparo
- Amaro Zara
- Torani Amer
- Harry's
- Luxardo Amaro Abano
- Luxardo Amaro Fernet
- Nardini Amaro Bassano
- Bénéfort
- China Martini
- China Stemmi
- CynarCynarCynar is an Italian bitter apéritif liqueur made from 13 herbs and plants. Predominant amongst these is the artichoke , from which the drink derives its name...
- Carciofo
- Diesus Amaro del Frate
- Fernet-Branca
- Fernet StockFernet StockFernet Stock is a herbal bitters made in Plzeň-Božkov, Czech Republic and in Trieste, Italy. It is flavoured with approximately 14 herbs, imported from the Mediterranean and the Alps...
- Fernet Beltion
- Ferro China Bisleri
- Radis Amaro
- Vecchia Umbria
Elsewhere
- BecherovkaBecherovkaBecherovka is a herbal bitters that is produced in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, by the Jan Becher company. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard....
- Petrus Boonekamp
- Gammel DanskGammel DanskGammel Dansk is a Danish alcoholic beverage produced by Danish Distillers Ltd. in Dalby, Denmark in southeast Zealand . Traditionally it was drunk by Danes at certain festive occasions, often in connection with breakfast meals, brunch or at wedding anniversaries and birthday celebrations...
- JägermeisterJägermeisterJägermeister is a German 70-proof digestif made with 56 different herbs and spices. It is the flagship product of Mast-Jägermeister SE, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, south of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany.- History :...
- St. Hubertus (liqueur)
- UnicumUnicumUnicum is a Hungarian herbal bitters, drunk as a digestif and apéritif.Unicum is an herbal digestif liqueur. The liqueur is today produced by Zwack according to a secret formula of more than forty herbs, and the drink is aged in oak casks...
- Gran Classico BitterGran Classico BitterGran Classico BitterGran Classico Bitter is an alcoholic apéritif/digestif created following the "Italian Bitter of Turin" recipe dating from the 1860s. This recipe, which was originally produced under the name Torino Gran Classico, had been purchased in 1925 from a Turin-based distillery by the...
Sources
- http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/r/blr0484.htm
- http://www.amariamari.com (in Italian)
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3DF103BF933A05752C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all