Bitter spirits, or amari, are having something of a moment. Thanks in part to the resurgence of the classic three-ingredient Italian cocktail the Negroni, bitter liquors are coming on strong, and British Columbia’s distillers have taken note. Here, three local distilleries share amari cocktail recipes that pack serious punch.
DeVine’s DeVine Intervention
Experiment with this refreshing hybrid of a gin and tonic and a gin martini. DeVine distiller Ken Winchester likes it with just a splash of tonic, but try pouring it long, as a highball.
Ingredients
1 ounce DeVine Genever Gin
1 dash of DeVine Moderna Vermouth
1 splash of Fever-Tree Tonic Water, or more to taste
Method
In a rocks or highball glass over ice, combine the gin and vermouth.
Top with tonic water to taste, and gently stir before serving.
Legend Distilling’s Legendary Cup
This inspired take on the classic British aperitif Pimm’s Cup was created by the team at Legend Distilling in the Southeast Okanagan.
Ingredients
1.5 ounces Naramaro
1 ounce Doctor’s Orders Gin
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
Club soda
Method
Pour all ingredients except the soda into a 500-millilitre Mason jar.
Add soda to top.
Garnish with slices of cucumber and strawberries.
Odd Society’s Salal Negroni
Many distillers recommend trying their amaro in the Negroni (traditionally, equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari). This is Odd Society Spirits distiller Gordon Glanz’s version.
Ingredients
0.75 ounces Odd Society Salal Gin
0.75 ounces Odd Society Mia Amata Amaro
0.75 ounces Odd Society Bittersweet Vermouth
Method
Build in a mixing glass with ice and stir.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Garnish with an orange twist.
No matter how it’s mixed, an amaro deserves a place on every home bar shelf. These delicious cocktails are just the (bitter) beginning.
Still thirsty? Find all of our cocktail recipes here.
