Amaro, Aperitif & Vermouth

Amaro, aperitifs, and vermouths are botanically infused liquids designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal or aid digestion after it. While vermouth is a wine fortified with spirits and infused with herbs, amaro and other aperitifs are spirit-based liqueurs. Across this category, flavors range from brightly citrusy and bittersweet to deeply herbal, medicinal, and earthy. The main variable is the balance between sweetness and bitterness, driven by secret recipes of roots, barks, and flowers.

When choosing a bottle, look at the style and alcohol volume. Lighter, wine-based vermouths and bright red aperitifs (usually around 15% ABV) are perfect for daytime sipping mixed with tonic or soda. Darker, higher-proof amari offer a richer, more intense bitter-sweet profile. If you want to start the evening, look for dry vermouths or bitter orange aperitifs. For a nightcap, look for dark, alpine, or cola-spiced amari to sip neat.