Amaro

From the Italian for ‘bitter’, the word amaro signifies a digestivo, which is a very popular drink in Italy. They are made from infusions of various herbs with the addition of alcohol and sugar. An amaro is drunk in small quantities after dinner to help the digestion, but some types of amaro may also be used as aperitifs (see Aperitivo) or mixed with hot water to produce soothing hot drinks. The best known amari are Fernet, Amaro Lucano, Amaro Averna, Amaro Varvelli and Centerbe (‘a hundred herbs’).