DIY Amaro Recipe

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Updated Aug. 09, 2018
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Amaro is just a general name for a bitter, herbal liqueur traditionally served after a meal.

Notes: Gentian root can often be found at Latin markets and specialty herb shops. You can also order it online from companies such as Lhasa Karnak. Use the cut root, which looks like bits of bark, rather than the powdered variety. If you have another bittering agent on hand, such as cinchona bark leftover from making tonic, you can use that as a substitute. If you can't get a high-proof neutral grain spirit like Everclear, use the highest proof vodka you can find.

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Recipe Facts

4

(1)

Active: 20 mins
Total: 720 hrs
Serves: 36 servings
Makes: 4 1/2 cups

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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon anise seeds

  • 6 fresh sage leaves

  • 6 fresh mint leaves

  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (about 1 sprig's worth)

  • 1 allspice berry

  • 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon gentian root

  • 3 cups 151-proof neutral grain spirit (see note)

  • 1 1/4 cups sugar

  • 1 1/4 cups water

Directions

  1. Grind the herbs and spices (including gentian root) with a mortar and pestle until roughly broken up. (Or pulse a few times in a food processor.) Transfer to a sealable glass jar and pour in the alcohol. Let steep at room temperature for 3 weeks, shaking frequently.

  2. After the initial steeping time, bring sugar and water to a boil at medium heat. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely.

  3. Pour cooled syrup into the steeped mixture, reseal jar, and let rest for an additional 2 weeks, stirring frequently. After 2 weeks, open jar and taste. If stronger flavor is desired, re-seal jar and allow to steep for an additional week.

  4. Strain through cheesecloth to remove solids, then filter through coffee filter or fresh cheesecloth into a selable bottle. Store at room temperature for up to 6 months.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
297 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 4mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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