Here at Surdyk’s we often get asked to define what exactly amaro is. That’s tough to do because the production of amaro is guided more by tradition than any specific classification. What we know for sure is that amaro is Italian for “bitter.” I think a very general definition would be an Italian-made aromatic, herbal, and bittersweet liqueur most often served as a digestif at the end of a meal. Typically, many ingredients are used, such as barks, herbs, spices, citrus peels, seeds, and other botanicals. Those ingredients are macerated with a neutral spirit and sweetened with sugar syrup. Amari can range vastly in flavors and the level of bitterness to sweetness. My favorites tend to be somewhere in the middle. And that brings me to my holiday sale staff pick: the Amaro dell’Etna Antico Amaro from the island of Sicily. Producers of amaro are extremely protective of their recipes and all I can say for sure is that the Amaro dell’Etna uses more than 26 herbs and aromatic plants. Some being bitter orange, orange flower, licorice, absinthe, gentian, rhubarb, and cinnamon with a recipe that originated in 1901. I love the aromatics: orange blossom, clove, baking spice, black pepper, and licorice jump from the glass. The palate is full-bodied, rich, intense, and slightly sweet. Flavors of chocolate covered orange, ginger snap, coffee bean, and baking spice dominate. The finish is long and slightly bitter, bringing an overall balance to this amaro. This is a perfect way to finish your night, but it is also a perfect mixer to many classic cocktails. I always add half an ounce to my house Manhattan or Vieux Carre. Saluti! 118330