Ingredients
Peels of IGP blood oranges — Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello — grown in the volcanic soil around Etna, macerated with a short list of herbs. The recipe is deliberately spare so the citrus stays front and centre.
- ✦Tarocco blood orange peel
- ✦Moro blood orange peel
- ✦Sanguinello blood orange peel
- ✦Herbs of Sicily
- ✦Cane sugar
History of the Brand
Amara was created in 2012 by Sicilians Danilo Rappa and his partners, who felt no existing amaro captured the island's blood oranges honestly.
The fruit comes from groves on the volcanic slopes of Etna, where the mineral soil and temperature swings give the oranges their deep red flesh and IGP protection.
Only the peels are used, macerated rather than distilled, to keep the fresh bitterness of the zest rather than a cooked marmalade character.
It arrived in the United States mid-decade and quickly became the go-to Sicilian citrus amaro on cocktail lists.
Tasting Characteristics
Blood orange oil, red berry, a hint of herb.
Zesty orange with raspberry-like fruit, gentle sweetness, clean bitter edge.
Medium, bright, pithy and refreshing.
Flavor meter
How to serve it
- 01Over ice with soda and an orange slice.
- 02Neat, lightly chilled, after a seafood dinner.
- 03Topped with prosecco as a Sicilian spritz.
- 04In a Paper Plane in place of Nonino for a citrus-forward version.
- 05Poured over vanilla gelato or lemon sorbet.
Where to Get It
Available in the US and Europe through specialty importers. The squat bottle with the orange-red label is easy to recognise.
Specialty bottle shops
Usually $32–$40 for 750ml.
Online spirits retailers
Search 'Amaro Amara Sicilian blood orange'.
Sicily
Sold across Catania and Taormina, often alongside local wines.
Affiliate buying links coming soon.
Amaro Amara FAQ
What is Amaro Amara?
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A Sicilian amaro created in 2012 from the peels of IGP blood oranges grown on the slopes of Mount Etna, bottled at 30% ABV.
What does Amaro Amara taste like?
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Vivid fresh blood orange zest with red-berry fruit, light sweetness and a clean pithy bitterness — much brighter than most amari.
How do you drink Amaro Amara?
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Over ice with soda, topped with prosecco as a spritz, neat after dinner, or in citrus-forward cocktails like the Paper Plane.
Is Amaro Amara very bitter?
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No. Its bitterness is moderate and citrus-driven, which makes it a good entry point for people new to amaro.
What makes Etna blood oranges special?
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Volcanic soil and sharp day-to-night temperature swings produce the deep red anthocyanin-rich flesh that earns Sicilian blood oranges their IGP status.