Amaro Lucano (70cl, 28%)

An Italian liqueur created in 1894 by Pasquale Vena, a pastry chef by trade who knew his spices and who became the official supplier of the House of Savoy in 1900 (hence the Savoy flag on the label). When Italy was first unified in 1861 it was the House of Savoy monarchs of Piedment (officially the Kingdom of Sardinia made up of both the island and Piedmont) who became the new monarchs of the Kingdom of Italy. In 1900 Umberto I was on the throne, but shortly after Amaro Lucano was adopted by the royal household, Umberto (or Humbert) was assassinated by Gaetano Bresci.

• Origin and History: Created by Pasquale Vena, a pastry chef in Pisticci, in the Basilicata region of Italy, the recipe has remained a closely guarded family secret for over a century.
• Ingredients: The liqueur is made from a complex blend of over 30 carefully selected botanicals, including herbs, roots, flowers, and spices such as angelica, wormwood, bitter orange, sage, and gentian.
• Flavor Profile: It has a deep, caramel-brown color and offers a complex and well-balanced palate. Notes often include a mix of sweet citrus (orange peel), herbal and spicy notes (cinnamon, eucalyptus, mint), and a pleasantly persistent bitter finish.
• Alcohol Content: Amaro Lucano has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 28%. A non-alcoholic version is also available. 

• Neat or Chilled: Best savored on its own, either at room temperature or chilled, to appreciate its full complexity.
• With Ice or Garnish: Often served over ice, sometimes with an orange peel or a slice of orange, to enhance the citrus notes.
• In Cocktails: It serves as an excellent base for a variety of cocktails, adding depth and a unique bittersweet character. It can replace sweet vermouth in drinks like a Manhattan or Martinez.