Amaro Averna. Annnd Amaro Week continues! This week we’re celebratin’ the bittersweet herbal liqueur group known as “amaro,” and I think this bottle was the first one that introduced me to that word. I used to always assume that “Amaro” referred specifically to Averna since I’d always seen this referenced as “Amaro Averna” and it was one of the early amari (plural) that became popular in cocktail culture. Just to clarify -Amaro is the classification of the spirit (like gin or rum), and Averna is the brand/producer.

Averna originated in Italy and its recipe is based on a very old herbal elixir made by Sicilian monks. It’s known for its cola, orange, and vanilla flavors, and of course maintains that lovely bittersweet balance characteristic of amaro. It’s one of the most popular amari on the market and is delicious, easy to drink, and a great addition for those starting out their amaro collection with a flavor that is complex but not *too* bold/intense like some amari can be.

You’ll find it in many recipes, see some here!