Amaro Averna

The benchmark for the rich, cola-dark style. Averna has been made in Caltanissetta, Sicily, since 1868, and at 29% alcohol it is neither too bitter nor too sweet, with a soft, cola-like body and a gentle bitter finish. A chilled glass neat, or a large ice cube with a slice of orange, is the classic way to drink it after dinner. In cocktails it rounds out whiskey: use it in place of sweet vermouth in a Manhattan for a darker, mellower drink. If you are buying one amaro for a table of mixed tastes, this is the safest bet.