Chilled 100 Bartenders - Mixing with Amaro

MIXING WITH Amaro

The 100% natural and saffron-hued L’Aperitivo Nonino is an innovative twist, and the exception in a typically crimson-colored aperitif category. For this expression, Nonino’s Fragolino grape distillate (translation “little strawberry”) shows off the distillery’s unmistakable terrior. Equally distinct is Amaro Nonino, the treasured Italian bitter liqueur born from an ancient recipe and the family’s years-long distillation experience, which promises bittersweet notes and hints of caramel, vanilla, and allspice. While sixth-generation distiller Francesca Nonino prefers her aperitivo on the rocks, with just a spritz of fresh lemon and a splash of tonic, L’Aperitivo Nonino and Amaro Nonino lend nicely to a broad range of classic and modern cocktails. We asked national Chilled 100 director, Wendy Hodges, to put that theory to the test and create a handful of cocktails—anything from a highball to a swizzle to something shrub-based—to prove amari are worth a place at your bar. Check out her must-try concoctions.

CROWN CHAKRA

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. L’Aperitivo Nonino 1 oz. lavender-infused vodka* ½ oz. simple syrup 1 barspoon Crème de Violette Top with Q Grapefruit soda

PREPARATION

Build L’Aperitivo Nonino, vodka, and syrup in a lavender decorated glass half filled with crushed ice. Use a swizzle stick to incorporate the ingredients, raising and lowering the swizzle stick up and down. Add more crushed ice. Top with soda and Crème de Violette. Garnish with lavender sugar on one side of glass and lavender leaves sprig *Lavender infusion: 1 barspoon of dried lavender per ounce of vodka. Stir and let sit for 1 minute. (Longer if infusing more than 8 ounces). Strain through coffee filter and bottle.

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. L’Aperitivo Nonino 1 oz. Bigelow turmeric, chili, matcha green tea-infused yuzu gin* ½ oz. pink lemon juice Top with Q Ginger Beer Horses neck lemon peel and orchid ice sphere WRITTEN IN GOLD

PREPARATION

*Tea infusion: Pour yuzu profiled gin into mixing glass and use one tea bag per 4 oz of gin. Give a stir and let rest for 1 ½ minutes. Use 2 barspoons to press the tea bags when removing them to extract the gin.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

INGREDIENTS

¾ oz. Nonino Amaro ¾ oz. L’aperitivo Nonino ¾ oz. Angostura 5-Year Rum ¾ oz. pink grapefruit juice 3 dashes Sassy Sassafras bitters

PREPARATION

Shake all ingredients with ice. Double strain into small coupe glass. Express grapefruit zest over top and garnish with zest.

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. L’Aperitivo Nonino 1 oz. blueberry basil jalapeño shrub* Top with Prosecco Basil sprig and blueberries on a pick (for garnish)

PREPARATION

Shake L’Aperitivo Nonino and shrub with ice. Pour over fresh ice in round wine glass. Top with Prosecco. *Shrub: Muddle 16 oz container of fresh blueberries in a saucepan. Add 1 cup fresh basil and gently press with muddle. Add in 16 oz sugar. Once combined push in 5 jalapeño coins and simmer until sugar dissolves. Stir in 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Allow to cool and fine strain through cheesecloth. Bottle and keep in refrigerator for up to 2 months.