The Big Book of Amaro

Book excerpt: A beautifully illustrated and comprehensive celebration of the classic Italian bitter liqueur details everything you need to know about buying, tasting, and enjoying amaro. Amaro, translated literally as “bitter,” is an herbal liqueur traditionally enjoyed as a digestif. Delightfully complex and bittersweet, it’s also used as an element in many modern cocktails and kitchen recipes. Cocktail designer, spirits writer, and amaro expert Matteo Zed explores amaro’s fascinating history (from its origins in medieval alchemy to today’s popular renaissance), botanical profiles, and remarkable natural properties. Zed showcases how best to use amaro behind the bar and in the kitchen, with recipes such as the Golden Mai Tai and Bitter Goat Cheese Risotto. Readers can browse the thorough buying guide with descriptions of bottles from Italy, Europe, and beyond. A lovingly crafted tribute to an iconic Italian creation, The Big Book of Amaro is an essential experience for all of us with a passion for amaro, mixology, food culture, or all things Italian.