Home » co*cktails » 15 Amaro co*cktails to Make at Home
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Amaro co*cktails are not for everyone. But if you like complex flavors that are heavy on herbs, barks and spices (similar to bitters) you need to browse this list of drink recipes. From classic ideas with just a few ingredients to more creative takes, you’ll find a new favorite co*cktail from this collection.
You’ll Love These Italian Amaro co*cktail Recipes
These Amaro co*cktail recipes use a variety of ingredients in addition to Amaro.
What is Amaro? It’s a bitter, Italian liqueur. While there are several varieties of Amaro on the market, they vary in flavor but are herbal, lightly floral, with bitter notes and some can even be on the sweeter side.
Related: Drinks with Bitters
It’s somewhat similar to bitters, but where you use just a few drops of bitters to flavor a drink, Amaro is treated like a starring ingredient. The varieties also differ in terms of alcohol content so be sure to read each recipe post to see what brand each drink idea calls for.
If you love making easy co*cktails at home but want to use an ingredient that is interesting, old-fashioned and more versatile than you may think, these drinks with Amaro are perfect for you.
Amaro co*cktails
Smoky, minty, green, woodsy, earthy, or fruity are all flavors that can be found in amaro spirits. These drinks with amaro will elevate your co*cktail hour with complex flavors that you'll love.
1
Amaro co*cktail Recipe with Vodka and Ginger Beer
This easy Amaro co*cktail recipe has vodka and ginger beer and is super refreshing and simple to make. With fresh lemon juice and orange-flavored vodka (although you can also use plain), this is full of bright, complex flavors that are unique and delicious.
2
Paper Plane co*cktail Recipe
Photo Credit:www.wellseasonedstudio.com
Amaro Nonino introduces a citrus and herb flavor into this bourbon-based co*cktail that also includes Aperol and fresh lemon juice. The Aperol adds an orange flavor and color to this drink, making it instantly appealing. To a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, add all the ingredients and shake until well-chilled. Strain this beauty in a coupe glass and enjoy.
3
Black Walnut Bitters co*cktail Recipe
Photo Credit:emilyfabulous.com
This dark and smooth co*cktail uses spicy and herbal Cardamaro along with black walnut bitters in a base of barrel-aged gin. It's perfect for sipping as an aperitif or after a meal. Add the ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass and stir. Strain into a low ball glass with large ice cubes. Garnish with an orange peel.
4
Amaro Montenegro co*cktail with Bourbon
Photo Credit:www.littlesugarsnaps.com
Bourbon gets a dual layer of additional flavor with amaro bitters, amaro Montenegro and Campari, in this smooth co*cktail. The sweet and sour flavors of maple syrup and lemon juice keep it extra tasty. Stir it all, with ice, in a mixing glass before straining it into a co*cktail glass. A twist of lemon is the right garnish to complete this full-flavored drink.
5
A Rye and Cardamaro co*cktail
Photo Credit:umamigirl.com
Cardamaro mingles perfectly with the peppery flavors of rye whisky that's brought to smooth deliciousness with a dash of orange bitters. Stir it all in an ice-filled mixing glass until well-chilled. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. A twist of orange makes the perfect garnish for this co*cktail.
6
Averna Limonata
Photo Credit:zestfulkitchen.com
Herbs and citrus shine in this refreshing 2-ingredient drink. Fizzy co*cktails are always a treat and here, lemon-flavored soda joins Averna amaro for an easy, bright drink. Pour them both over ice in a Collins glass and garnish with a slice of lemon. Extra points for adding fresh herbs, such as thyme or mint to compliment the amaro bitters. This is one of the easiest Amaro co*cktails to make!
7
The Devil’s Soulco*cktail
Photo Credit:cold-glass.com
Kick it up several notches by adding two different amaro spirits to this whisky, mezcal and St. Germaine drink. Chill a coupe glass and have it waiting. Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until well-chilled and strain into the cold glass. Flame a twist of orange over the glass and drop it in for a smoky and citrus garnish.
8
Amaro Nonino co*cktail
Photo Credit:www.thespeckledpalate.com
If you like strong flavors in a co*cktail, try this bourbon and amaro mix that's warming and sweet but with bitter undertones. It's an easy one to make with just two ingredients and two garnishes. Add cubed ice to a glass and pour in equal parts of amaro and bourbon. Garnish with a lemon twist and a Luxardo cherry and stir to combine these tantalizing flavors.
9
Strawberry-Rhubarb Amaro Cobbler co*cktail
Photo Credit:www.stirandstrain.com
Turn a summer co*cktail into a dessert theme with a fruity strawberry and rhubarb homemade syrup and compote. It's easy to make on the stovetop and well worth it to boost the flavor of this Amaro Lucano co*cktail. In a double rocks glass, add the fruit compote first and then fill it with crushed ice. Add the amaro and fruity syrup before drizzling with Limoncello. Give it stir to combine. Delish!
10
How to Make the Amaro Santoni Negroni
Photo Credit:alushlifemanual.com
Easy, sophisticated and full of herbal and bitter tones, this 3-ingredient co*cktail includes equal parts of gin, vermouth and Amaro Santoni. Fill your glass with ice, add the ingredients and stir. Garnish with a slice or orange and enjoy this unique herbal and citrus-infused drink.
11
Roman Highball
Photo Credit:co*cktailsdistilled.com
Swap out the classic whisky for an Italian twist and use Averna amaro as the base for this fizzy co*cktail. Shake the amaro along with ginger liqueur and lime juice in an ice filled shaker. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top it with soda water. If you need a garnish, candied ginger or a slice or lime would be perfect.
12
Coffee Amaro co*cktail Recipe: The Morning Addition
Photo Credit:www.goodfoodstories.com
Two bitter flavors, coffee and amaro, join forces in this strong-flavored co*cktail. Start with your favorite cold-brew coffee added to an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Add in Averna amaro and give it a stir. At this point, you can optionally add in half and half, but do add in a dash of orange bitters before enjoying this chilled coffee co*cktail.
13
Rosemary Amaro Fizz Recipe - Idealist Foods
Photo Credit:idealistfoods.com
I've never met a rosemary co*cktail that I didn't like! And this one, with Italian Amaro and gin sounds so refreshing!
14
Amaro Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe
Photo Credit:metropolitan-market.com
With just two ingredients plus a dash of bitters, this simple Amaro co*cktail is totally classic.
15
Amaro Averna co*cktail
Photo Credit:www.littlesugarsnaps.com
With cherry brandy, this Averna and bourbon co*cktail has a little bit of sweetness to balance out the bitters notes of this Italian liqueur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amaro?
Amaro is an Italian liqueur that was once used as a digestif. It reminds me of bitters and fortified wines like sherry. It’s full of complex flavors that are lightly bitter and herbal.
What does Amaro pair with?
Amaro is a great compliment to all kinds of liquor and is an ingredient you can use to create your own co*cktail recipes by adding a little bit to your go-to drink favorites. It adds a gorgeous color and a delicious layer of flavors to lots of co*cktails.
What brand of Amaro should I buy?
There are lots of brands you can buy and they all differ in flavor. Averna Amaro is a popular brand and should be pretty versatile. While some of these Amaro co*cktails call for a specific brand, I would use Averna interchangeably to get started and decide if I have the room for or want to dive deeper into the world of Amaro.
Can you drink Amaro straight?
Yes! You can drink Amaro straight. I would sip it over ice. You can also mix it with a little bit of club soda. You can also try it with tonic or flavored sparkling water.
Where can I buy Amaro?
A larger, specialty grocery may carry a brand or two of Amaro. Total Wine has a great selection and you can shop online or in-store. And I know you shouldn’t buy something just based on what the bottle looks like, but a handful of these bottles are SO CUTE!
Whole Foods on Amazon has several options including Amaro Montenegro, Lo Fi Gentian Amaro, and Ventura Spirits Angelino Amaro (another cute bottle!).
More ways to enjoy bitter Amaro
- Amaro and Soda (club soda is one of my favorite co*cktail mixers!)
- Amaro and Tonic
- Amaro Sour (with lemon juice)
- Muddle it with berries or other fruit
- Use it with sparkling wine to make a spritz
- Add it to any of your favorite co*cktail recipes and see if you like the flavor
More easy co*cktail recipes
- Amaretto Sour Recipe
- Bitters and Soda
- Lemon Pellegrino Vodka co*cktail
- Infused Wine How-To
- Aperol Spritz Recipe
- Malibu Rum co*cktails with Coconut Rum
- Aperol co*cktails
New to Making Drinks at Home?
Mixing drinks doesn’t need to be overwhelming! Check out these posts that will help you get started making delicious co*cktail and mocktail recipes without needing tons of ingredients or expert-level bartending skills.
- The Essential Bar Tools you should have on hand
- The Liquor You Need for a small but mighty home bar
- Mixers to Keep on Hand to make TONS of drinks
- How to Rim a Glass – 3+ ways
- Need Simple Syrup fast? Use this drink sweetener hack!
