I felt like an international cocktail recipe this month, and I wanted it to be unusual. So I called up the product reps for Averna to see what they had in their archives. Averna has several quality spirits I’ve tried before, such as the limoni, grappa and sambuca mentioned in this international cocktails post.
This time, they steered me towards the Amaro. A unique spirit that’s been around since the company’s inception, it’s a darker liquor with a strong bitter sweet flavor. Not usually a flavor I’d gravitate towards, but I’ve never been one to shirk adventure so I told them to send it along. The recipe of note was the Italian mojito. Ingredients and directions are below.
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10 mint leaves, torn
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½ oz. simple syrup
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2 oz. Averna
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1 oz. lemon juice
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Ginger ale
Muddle mint and simple syrup in a highball glass. Add remaining ingredients and stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wheel.
The result? Definitely darker in color than a traditional mojito, with that strong bitter sweet flavor coming through in full force. Speaking for myself, this was a cocktail I could sip occasionally at a gathering when offered, but probably not something I would make often. I’d say it was one of those acquired taste types of drinks, but there are those that love the Amaro and have for generations. It’s sort of like the Moxie of the spirit world. Those who already enjoy this type of flavor will probably enjoy drinking this cocktail with gusto. Others will sip slowly on occasion.
Photo Credit: Mom the Barbarian