Amaro Lucano

Close to Averna in weight, but spicier, with licorice and cinnamon up front. Pasquale Vena founded Amaro Lucano in 1894 in Basilicata, in southern Italy, and his family's fourth generation still runs it. At 28% alcohol it is easy to sip neat, but the serve to try is Lucano with tonic water and a squeeze of lime over ice, which turns it into a long, bittersweet drink for a warm evening. Choose it over Averna if you like your dark amari with more baking spice and a little less caramel.