Top Amaro Brands: Elevate Your Cocktail Craft

Amaro, a popular Italian herbal liqueur, has garnered international attention for its complex flavors and digestive properties. With its unique blend of bitterness, sweetness, and aromatic botanicals, selecting the right bottle can elevate any cocktail experience. Whether you're a connoisseur or a newcomer to this delightful aperitif, knowing the best brands is essential for curating your collection. Curious to discover which amaro brands stand out from the rest? Find out more below.

Illustration of amaro

Best brands of amaro in 2025

Averna

Averna, established in 1868 in Sicily, is a renowned producer of amaro, boasting a rich history and a complex flavor profile derived from a secret blend of herbs, roots, and citrus peels; with an alcohol content of 29%, Averna is a staple in both traditional cocktails and contemporary mixology, offering a bittersweet experience enjoyed around the world; this popular Italian liqueur is a testament to the art of amaro making, appreciated for its smooth texture and balanced taste, making it a top choice among amaro connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.

Ramazzotti

Established in 1815, Ramazzotti is a renowned Italian producer of amaro, boasting a unique recipe of 33 herbs and roots that creates a distinctive, balanced flavor profile with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 30%. The brand's flagship amaro, Amaro Ramazzotti, is celebrated for its versatility, enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or as a key ingredient in cocktails. With over two centuries of experience, Ramazzotti continues to exemplify Italian craftsmanship and tradition in the amaro category. Discover more about the brand and its offerings by visiting the Ramazzotti official website.

Montenegro

Amaro Montenegro, established in 1885, stands as a premier Italian amaro producer, boasting a secret blend of 40 botanicals and a distinct 23% alcohol by volume; its complex, bittersweet flavor profile makes it a favorite among mixologists and connoisseurs; the brand's enduring quality and commitment to tradition have cemented its reputation as a top choice for amaro enthusiasts for over 130 years.

Amaro Nonino

Amaro Nonino, a premium Italian liqueur crafted by the Nonino family since 1897, is recognized as one of the best amaro producers, using a time-honored recipe featuring a blend of alpine herbs, aromatic roots, and citrus fruits infused in grape distillate, and aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels, resulting in a complex flavor profile with a 35% alcohol content. Their Quintessentia expression, born from a 1933 recipe, offers a balanced and elegant taste, ideal for sipping neat or in cocktails such as the Paper Plane, and Nonino also produces a Riserva aged for 24 months.

Cynar

Cynar, a distinguished Italian amaro, has been crafted since 1952, boasting a distinctive bittersweet flavor profile derived from artichoke leaves, and other herbs and spices; its lower 16.5% ABV distinguishes it from other more potent amari, making it a versatile choice for cocktails. Celebrated for its unique taste, Cynar is a beloved brand among amaro enthusiasts for its quality and tradition. You can find more information about Cynar and its offerings on its official website.

Braulio

Braulio, an iconic amaro, has been crafted in Bormio, Italy since 1875 using a secret recipe of herbs and botanicals, resulting in a complex and balanced bittersweet flavor profile with a 21% alcohol content, often enjoyed as a digestif or in cocktails, and continues to be a highly respected name in the amaro category for its consistent quality. You can learn more at Braulio's official website.

Lucano

Amaro Lucano, crafted in Italy since 1894 by Pasquale Vena, stands as a premier amaro, boasting a secret recipe of over 30 herbs, resulting in a 28% ABV liqueur with a balanced bittersweet flavor, and is produced by the family-owned company Lucano S.p.A. in Pisticci. After a hot infusion process, the mixture is aged for five months, giving it distinctive citrus and floral notes. This versatile spirit can be enjoyed neat, chilled, in cocktails, and is known for its quality and tradition worldwide. You can find more information about their offerings on their official website.

Meletti

Meletti, established in 1870 in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, is a renowned producer of amaro, using a secret family recipe from the turn of the century, featuring a blend of aromatic fruits, herbs, and spices like sweet orange peel, gentian root, and cloves; this creates a 32% ABV, perfectly balanced digestivo that is neither too bitter nor too sweet. It is made with a cold-extraction method to preserve delicate flavors, and has received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Sfumato Rabarbaro

Sfumato Rabarbaro, established in the early 20th century, stands out as a premier producer of amaro, meticulously crafting its distinct 21% ABV liqueur from rhubarb and other botanicals with a smoky profile; this unique bitter offers a complex flavor profile that is both earthy and subtly sweet, making it a favorite among amaro enthusiasts; the brand's dedication to quality and traditional methods has solidified its reputation as one of the best, resulting in consistent acclaim; with its lower alcohol content, Sfumato is also ideal for sipping and mixing in cocktails, making it a versatile choice for diverse palates.

Cardamaro

Cardamaro, an artichoke-based amaro, stands out as a premier producer, boasting a distinctive bittersweet flavor profile derived from its unique botanical blend; crafted since 1885 in Canelli, Italy, it offers a lower alcohol content of 17% ABV compared to many other amari; its smooth, approachable character makes it exceptionally versatile for both sipping and cocktail creation, solidifying its position among the best amaro brands; find more details on the official website.