Embrace the bitter with these amaro-based cocktails

Sip on this

(Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post/Lily illustration)

Summer is meant to be a little hazy, meaning there’s no better time to concoct some cocktails. Be adventurous and try amaro. It’s bitter, complex and delicious.

(Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post)

This bubbly, bittersweet cocktail is perfect for summer evenings.

Ingredients

→ Cracked ice
→ 1 ounce Amaro delle Sirene or other strongly bitter amaro
→ 1 ounce vodka
→ 1 1/2 ounces chinotto bitter orange soda
→ Orange wheel, for garnish

Tested size: 1 serving

Directions

Fill a rocks glass with the ice. Add the amaro and vodka. Top with the bitter orange soda.

Garnish with the orange wheel.

(Scott Suchman for The Washington Post)

Over the decades, a number of cocktails have been called Brooklyn. This rye-forward one seems to have survived best.

Ingredients

→ Ice
→ 2 ounces rye whiskey
→ 1 ounce dry vermouth
→ 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur (see headnote)
→ 1/2 ounce Punt e Mes or 1/4 ounce amaro (may substitute 2 dashes Angostura or orange bitters)

Tested size: 1 serving

Directions

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Punt e Mes or amaro. Stir for 30 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.

(Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post)

A modern classic, the Paper Plane is easy to remember and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients

→ Ice
→ 3/4 ounce bourbon
→ 3/4 ounce Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
→ 3/4 ounce Aperol
→ 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

Tested size: 1 serving

Directions

Chill a coupe glass.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the bourbon, Nonino, Aperol and lemon juice; seal and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into the chilled coupe.

(Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post)

Elysium means “heaven.” You have to taste it to believe it.

Ingredients

→ Ice
→ 3/4 ounce amaro
→ 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
→ 1/2 ounce amaretto liqueur
→ Dash chocolate bitters, such as Bitter Truth
→ 3/4 ounce brewed coffee
→ Twist of orange peel, for garnish

Tested size: 1 serving

Directions

Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice. Add the amaro, Grand Marnier, amaretto, bitters and coffee. Stir, then strain into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.

Garnish with the twist of orange peel.

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Punt e Mes or amaro. Stir for 30 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.

Original story by The Washington Post’s Kara Elder and M. Carrie Allan.