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A Spontaneous Libation for your Consideration

From the Knowledge Vault

Amari & bitter friends: an update

Prior to The Great Site Update of Christmas 2014, we published a list of amari hidden under a link on the recommended brands page. We have put some time and thought into our bitter friends, and have split the list into our top dozen or so recommendations, plus a list of other amari that are available.

Some amari are easy to find; others ... not so much. There are hundreds of amari that aren't even imported to the US. Look for amari at larger liquor stores, or specialty stores in the Italian section of your city.

Click »»» Amari & friends ««« to read more, also available under RESOURCES.

 

Recent Additions

  • Pikotaro — Pineapple rum, Crème de Banane, Fernet Branca, Absinthe, Demerara syrup
  • Fistuk's house — Peach liqueur, Pistachio liqueur, Apricot liqueur
  • Is That All There Is? — Mezcal, Rhum Agricole, Suze, Aperol, Peychaud's Bitters, Lime juice, Grapefruit peel
  • Kama kama — Bourbon, Becherovka, Absinthe, Chocolate bitters, Orange bitters, Apple cider, Cinnamon syrup
  • Cold war — Vodka, Bourbon, Apple syrup, Caramel syrup, Tamarind syrup

Recent Discussion

  • Re Take 5, 1 day ago danoman89 commented:

    Spicy, textured but light, bright and sour. A+ whiskey sour

  • Re Bohemian, 1 day ago kevin_e commented:

    I much prefer the variation from Meat & Potatoes in Pittsburgh (don't know the bartender's name):
    3/4 oz gin
    3/4 oz elderflower
    3/4 oz pink grapefruit
    3/4 oz aperol
    1 dsh peychaud's
    Optional grapefruit twist for garnish

    Lovely brunch cocktail.

  • Re Thorn Apple, 1 day ago Shawn C commented:

    Workable with half as much lemon juice (I used ~3/8 oz). The given recipe would likely be too sour (as an early comment noted) and dry when combined with the Cardamaro. As with many drier/acidic cocktails it improves (for my palate) as it warms somewhat, bringing other flavors forward. The wine base of the Cardamaro is masked by the lemon juice when very cold, a not uncommon problem I have noticed with lime/lemon/grapefruit juice drinks. I am rating my reduced lemon version as 3 out of 5, but something is missing that would elevate the drink.

  • Re Hemingway Stripper Pole, 2 days ago Shawn C commented:

    Definitely leans bitter and dry. The amount of lime juice seems high, making this more of a sour/dry than I prefer even though I went a little skinny on the lime. I might try again with 1/2 oz lime juice.

  • Re Plumber, 3 days ago Shawn C commented:

    Bursting with flavor. I had the standard Choya Umeshu rather than red "shiso" or "extra shisu" infused variants which should add some anise/licorice notes. I also lacked yuzu syrup, but had some kumquat cordial (Death & Co.) begging to be used here. Other subs were Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and Drillaud Pamplemousse. Definitely to the sweet side, but seems to fit the character of the flavors together.