Averna liqueur belongs to the group of Italian amaro bitters and is one of the most popular representatives of this type. The drink appeared in Italy at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. The manufacturer keeps the composition a secret, it is only known that bitters are made according to a family recipe from Mediterranean herbs, spices and fruits. Averna liqueur, like any amaro, improves digestion, so it is often served neat or with ice after a hearty meal, in addition, the drink is included in cocktails. The only production of Averna is located in the Sicilian city of Caltanissetta.
History
It is believed that the “father” of this tincture was the monk of the Benedictine order Fra Girolamo (Brother Girolamo) from the abbey of the Holy Spirit (Abbazia Di Santo Spirito) in the 1800s. For more than half a century, the holy brothers made bitters for their own needs, until in 1868 they gave the recipe to the merchant Salvatore Averna as a token of gratitude for generous donations.
The businessman did not lose his head and quickly set up the production of aromatic alcohol, and when at the beginning of the 1920th century the son of Salvatore, young Francesco, took over the company, he got an already promoted brand. In the 1958s, the third generation of the Averna family was at the helm, and bitter gradually began to capture world markets. Fratelli Averna SpA appeared in 2014 and became part of Gruppo Campari in XNUMX.
The manufacturer claims that the drink is still made according to the original recipe of 1868. The liqueur is an alcoholic setting on a carefully selected blend of herbs. It is known that the composition includes lemons, oranges, pomegranates, and sugar is also added to the finished bitter.
Features
Averna is a herbal liqueur with a citrus aroma and a strength of 29% vol. (the degree of the first versions of the drink was 32%). It is a thick, dark brown liquid, much sweeter than most Italian amaros. In the bitter-sweet bouquet of the drink, herbal notes, spices, caramel are felt, nuances of anise, juniper, myrtle, rosemary, sage can be distinguished.
Label
The liqueur label is no less interesting than the product itself. It is all covered with medals received by the bitter at various competitions, insignia, phrases in Italian. Among other regalia, there is even the coat of arms of the Italian royal house.
Types
Liquor Averna is produced in only one variation, its composition is always unchanged. The only exception is that in honor of some significant event, the company may issue a “special edition”. For example, in 2018, the year of the brand’s 150th anniversary, Averna Riserva Don Salvatore, an aged bitter, hit the market. The drink was made exactly according to the same recipe, but before bottling it was aged for 18 months in oak barrels, due to which the taste of the liquor became softer and deeper, and the strength reached 34% vol.
Averna’s analogues
All amaro are author’s brands with a unique recipe and inimitable taste, and amaro Averna is no exception. If necessary, it can be replaced with another bitter, but the cocktail will noticeably change.
Most of all, Ramazzotti, Ciociaro, Montenegro liqueurs are not similar to Avernus.
How to drink Averna
In addition to the classic options – in pure form or with ice – Averna liqueur can be diluted with soda or add a slice of citrus fruit to it. However, mainly, of course, bitter is used in cocktails.
Cocktails
There are not so many recipes created specifically for this tincture, and they are all as simple as possible:
- Averna lemonade – mix in an ice-filled glass 4 parts Averna, 1 part lemon juice and ½ part syrup, add soda to taste, serve with a sprig of mint, rosemary or sage.
- Cafe tonic – In a glass with ice, mix equal parts bitters, cold brew coffee and tonic.
- Beatnik – fill the shaker with ice, add ½ part aged port, 1 part bourbon, 1½ parts Averna amaro, shake, pour into a cocktail glass, garnish with orange zest.
- Revelator – In an ice-filled shaker, mix ½ part Averna and sweet vermouth, 2 parts tequila, 3-4 coffee beans, a few drops of any pepper bitter. Serve in a goblet garnished with orange zest.
- Vertigo – Pour ice into a highball glass, pour ½ part lemon juice and 4 parts ginger ale, mix, carefully pour 2 parts bitter on top of a bar spoon so that it remains in one layer. Serve with a slice of lemon.