Five Amaro Cocktails in Boston to Try Right Now
Photograph by Toan Trinh
Tiger Mama
Bitter Ned
Cultures clash in a most refreshing way in beverage director Moe Isaza’s boozy spin on a Caribbean-style soda. He starts with a base of Amaro Montenegro—a bestselling variety in Italy made from a secret blend of 40-plus herbs and spices—then adds citrusy-sweet notes in the form of tamarind, pisco, and Dolin Blanc vermouth, plus soda water for bubbles.
Photograph by Toan Trinh
The Hawthorne
French Navy
At just 17 percent ABV, wine-based Cardamaro makes for a light yet complex base for this breezy spring cocktail. Bar manager Jared Sadoian balances the amaro with Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey and fresh lemon juice before serving it on ice in a Collins glass.
Photograph by Toan Trinh
Capo Restaurant
M Street Beach Bum
Southie Beach served as the inspiration for this bittersweet twist on a Painkiller. To make it, beverage director Kevin Mabry pulls Ramazzotti, with hints of cardamom and cola, off the restaurant’s stocked amaro cart, and combines it with Ipswich-made Privateer Silver Reserve rum, pineapple and lime juices, and Giffard banana liqueur.
Photograph by Toan Trinh
SRV
Innocents Abroad
A riff on the modern classic Paper Plane, this cocktail relies on almost equal parts overproof Fighting Cock Bourbon and mellow, orange-peel-y Amaro Nonino. Quaffable apéritifs Gran Classico Bitter and Kina L’Aero d’Or round out the potent potable.
Photograph by Toan Trinh
State Park
Mustang Island
Here, smoky Del Maguey mezcal from Oaxaca meets its amaro match in equally hazy, rhubarb-forward Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro. Brightened with lime juice and fresh-strawberry syrup, the finished product sips like a “mezcal gimlet,” says co-owner Evan Harrison.
