Amaro: Bittersweet Classic Now on Everyone’s Lips
Bitter is a good thing.
Amaro is a classic herbal Italian liqueur — some from age-old family recipes, some made right here in Brooklyn — that has been steadily gaining in popularity among our customers. We’ve reconfigured the shop to fit more of these delicious sippers on our shelves.
Long one of our favorites, we encourage you to discover Amaro’s appeal and its many variations. It’s very approachable, and there are so many distinctive flavors to explore. Plus, there are few warmer, convivial feelings than sharing an after-dinner digestif.
To break it down a bit, we’ve classified Amari by their flavor profiles to make it easier to enjoy and explore!
Softer, Herbaceous & Elegant
Amaros. (l-r) Amaro Montenegro, Forthave Spirits, St. Agrestis Amaro, Nonino Amaro Quintessentia, Varnelli Amaro Sibilla,
Amaro Montenegro – 1885 recipe using 40 botanicals, a friendly classic! $30.99
Forthave Spirits Amaro Marseille 375ml – Faithfully follows a French cure for the Black Death from the Middle Ages! **Local** $27.99
St. Agrestis Amaro – Hints of clove and cinnamon round out this dark beauty. **Local** $39.99
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia – A beloved Italian digestif that is less aggressive and more balanced than most $49.99
Varnelli Amaro Sibilla 1 Liter – Incredible Amaro made from hand-ground ingredients lightly smoked over a hardwood fire. $55.99
Intensely Bitter & Rustic!
Amaros (l-r) Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro, Amaro Sfumato Rabararo, Elisir Novasalus Vino Amaro, Elisir Novasalus Vino Amaro, Varnelli Amaro Dell’Erborista
Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro – Bitter yet delicate, utilizing Chinese Rhubarb. $34.99
Amaro Sfumato Rabararo – This unfiltered Amaro is murky and bold with an expansive savory/bitter profile. $24.99
Varnelli Amaro Dell’Erborista 1 Liter – Cult Amaro. A fantastic, labor-intensive beauty made with hand-ground, hardwood-smoked ingredients. Unfiltered and murky to look at, yet lovely to taste $67.99
Elisir Novasalus Vino Amaro – Hold on to your hats! This is easily the most aggressive and intense Amaro we’ve ever tasted. Delicious yet challenging for some – Bitter Bob! $25.99
Old, Collectible Bottles Straight from Europe **Limited**
Rare and collectible Amaro and liqueur from private European collections. (l-r) Borsci Elisir San Marzano of Taranto 1980s, 18 Isolabella Amaro of Milan 1970s, Distilleria San Guiseppe Alpestre 1990s
Borsci Elisir San Marzano of Taranto 1980s – This vegetal Italian liqueur was produced from 1840 to 2012 when the company went bankrupt. An investment group revived it soon after, but this bottle comes from the original family production in Puglia. $108.99
18 Isolabella Amaro of Milan 1970s 1 Liter – The name comes from the secret recipe of 18 herbs and spices from 1870. This vintage ’70s bottle is tall and imposing! Enjoy on the rocks or in cocktails. $149.99
Distilleria San Guiseppe Alpestre 1990s – Bonus bottle…not an Amaro, but collectible Alpine Genepy Liqueur. A trus Alpine spirit made with 34 botanicals and zero sugar added! This release was bottled around 25-30 years ago. $94.99
