Bitter isn't a flavor most people seek out on its own, but when balanced with sweetness, it can be downright pleasurable. Many whiskies contain this duality: Think of how a mature bourbon marries together sweet caramel and vanilla flavors with notes of bitter oak and walnuts.

Amaro, a liqueur originally hailing from Europe, makes the interplay of bitter and sweet its focus. Amaro (Italian for “bitter”; plural amari) is made by steeping botanicals and spices in neutral spirit, which is then sweetened. Historically, amaro was made with local plants and intended for medicinal use, generally as a digestive aid. While salubrious applications have faded away, the allure of its richly layered bitter botanicals still attracts sophisticated palates.

Amaro and Whisky Make Perfect Cocktail Companions

Several American whiskey distillers are producing amari that showcase regional ingredients. “We really set out to make something that was of our place and not something that would just knock off Campari or Averna,” says Ann Marshall, co-founder of High Wire Distilling in Charleston, South Carolina, which makes Southern Amaro. Among its locally sourced botanicals are tea from a farm on Wadmalaw Island, Dancy tangerine, and yaupon holly, North America's only native caffeinated plant. “The yaupon holly counteracts the tea really well,” Marshall notes. “Without it, you'd get a sweet tea back-of-the-brain punch.”

At St. George Spirits, bark from the California buckthorn and balsam fir impart woodsy notes on the bright red Bruto Americano, which master distiller Lance Winters says was “inspired by classic aperitivi, but takes direction from aromatics that I've enjoyed throughout my life.” Meanwhile fellow Golden State distiller Greenbar in Los Angeles uses dandelion, artichoke, and bay leaf to showcase the character of California's great hiking trails. To create a gentle but distinct bitterness, Boston's Bully Boy Distillers adds hops and rhubarb root to more traditional choices of gentian and orris root.

Other distillers take inspiration from cocktail culture. “Caffè Amaro was a direct result of my time as a bar owner and bartender,” says Ryan Maybee, co-founder and vice president of sales and hospitality at J. Rieger & Co. in Kansas City, Missouri. “I loved caffè corretto with Averna and espresso.” In some ways, expanding into amaro brought the Rieger name full circle. Prior to Prohibition, the original J. Rieger & Co. had produced over 100 different spirits, including fernet, a very bitter amaro.

As you would with whisky, try sipping amaro neat at first to get a feel for its flavor. When you're ready to mix it, start simple and try a 50-50 split of amaro and whisky; the interplay of both ingredients' inherent complexity generates exciting new flavors. Another customary way to enjoy amaro is well-chilled after a meal, which helps to subdue the bitterness. Or you might add some to your espresso, like Maybee.

Bitter is Better: Taste the Wide Range of American Amaro

DARK & SAVORYJ. Rieger & Co. Caffè Amaro—31% ABV, $30Made with Sumatra cold brew and seven botanicals, including cardamom, star anise, and spearmint.Tastes like: A rich cuppa joeUse it in: A Mint Julep made with 2 oz. Rieger's Kansas City whiskey and 1/4 oz. Caffè Amaro
FLORAL & BRIGHTGreenbar Distillery Grand Poppy Amaro—20% ABV, $32Made with 15 organic botanicals inspired by hikes through California, including artichoke, dandelion, bay leaf, and poppy.Tastes like: Flower petals and bracing citrusUse it in: An Amaro Spritz garnished with grapefruit, lemon, or orange
MELLOW & CHOCOLATYHigh Wire Distilling Southern Amaro—30% ABV, $30Made with nine botanicals foraged from or grown in South Carolina, including Charleston black tea and yaupon holly.Tastes like:Root beer mixed with sweet teaUse it in: Amaro-spiked milk, sweetened with demerara syrup; pair with chocolate chip cookies
WOODSY & HERBALSt. George Spirits Bruto Americano—24% ABV, $30Made with a variety of botanicals, including locally grown Seville orange, balsam fir, and bark from the California buckthorn.Tastes like: Balsam boughs, sandalwood, and rosemaryUse it in: A Boulevardier variation with St. George's Breaking & Entering whiskey
SWEET & SILKYFounding Spirits Arroyo's Never Bitter Amaro—22.5% ABV, $38Made with local honey and over 20 botanicals, including lavender, cardamom, and Vietnamese cinnamon.Tastes like: Raisinets, mint, chamomileUse it in: An Amaro Daiquiri, made with Founding Spirits' rye, lime juice, and orgeat
DRY & SPRIGHTLYNewport Distilling Acrimony Amaro—35% ABV, $33Made with 26 botanicals, including Galaxy hops, and aged for up to a year in Newport's Thomas Tew rum barrels.Tastes like: Zingy peppercorn and zippy citrusUse it in: A gin Martini, replacing the vermouth
EARTHY & SYRUPYTattersall Amaro—30% ABV, $27Made with 26 botanicals, including sarsaparilla, sage, anise seed, allspice, cinchona bark, and gentian root.Tastes like: Raisins, crème de menthe, figsUse it in: Sip neat
FRUITY & HOPPYBully Boy Amaro—29% ABV, $28Made with numerous botanicals including four types of hops, yarrow, rhubarb root, and fig.Tastes like: Candied orange wedgesUse it in: A summery punch with fresh fruit