Amaro Averna Original Italian Bitter 70 cl 29%

A gift of gratitude from Benedictine monks to a patron in Caltanissetta became the foundation of one of Sicily's best-known bottles. The recipe has stayed untouched in the family's hands ever since.

Expert's description

Amaro Averna is an Italian bitter at 29% ABV, bottled at 70 cl.

In 1859, the Benedictine monks of the Abbazia di Santo Spirito in Caltanissetta gifted their secret recipe to Salvatore Averna as thanks for his years of support to the abbey. Averna, an active member of the local community and benefactor of the monastery, began making the amaro on the family farmhouse for his guests, and by 1868 it was in full production. The tradition behind it stretches back to the fortified Benedictine abbeys, where monks produced herbal elixirs believed to hold both medicinal and tonic properties. According to the family, the recipe has remained unchanged since 1868 and uses only natural ingredients.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel and ripe orange peel, over a deep herbal base.

Taste

Bittersweet, with caramel, orange and a warm spiced character.

Finish

Soft and lingering, with a dry, herbal bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Amaro Averna Original Italian Bitter
Distillery: Averna
Country/Region: Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy
Type: Italian Amaro
ABV: 29%
Size: 70 cl
EAN no.: 8000400203782
Serving suggestion: Chilled and neat with ice and a lemon slice, or in cocktails

Flavour profile

Caramel · Orange · Herbs · Bittersweetness

Did you know?

The recipe was originally given to Salvatore Averna by Benedictine monks in 1859 as thanks for his support of their abbey, nine years before it went into production.

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Frequently asked questions about Amaro Averna

What is Amaro Averna?

A Sicilian amaro at 29%, bottled at 70 cl, made to a recipe the family says has been unchanged since 1868.

How is it best enjoyed?

Chilled and neat with ice and a lemon slice, or as an ingredient in cocktails.

Where does the recipe come from?

From the Benedictine monks of the Abbazia di Santo Spirito in Caltanissetta, who gifted it to Salvatore Averna in 1859.

What does "amaro" mean?

The Italian word for "bitter", a term for herbal liqueurs originally used as stomach medicine.

What gives Amaro Averna its characteristic taste?

A secret blend of purely natural ingredients that gives a bittersweet taste of caramel and orange.

Does Amaro Averna suit dessert?

Yes, its caramel and orange notes make it a natural companion to chocolate and other sweet finishes.