When it comes to amaro, the clue is in the name, the word for the herbal Italian liqueur literally translates as ‘bitter’. Unlike concentrated cocktail bitters, such as Angostura, which are used sparingly to season drinks, amaro is designed to be enjoyed in their own right. They can add depth and complexity to cocktails, be lengthened with soda for a refreshing aperitivo, or simply served over ice.
Rooted in centuries of Italian tradition, amaro was originally developed as a medicinal tonic and is still commonly enjoyed as a digestivo after meals. Today, the category is experiencing renewed global interest, driven by the popularity of bittersweet flavours and classic cocktails. Well-known examples such as Campari, Aperol and Fernet-Branca have helped introduce drinkers to the style, but the world of amaro extends far beyond these household names.
IWSC 2025 saw a diverse range of amaros tasted and assessed by judges, with four expressions awarded Gold medals for their quality, balance and character. Among them was Barzotto Amaro from Liquoristica Ligure, which impressed with an orange forward nose with an alluring aroma of light whisky smoke, while Fernet Amaro 78 from Aura proizvodi d.o.o. showcased the bold, bittersweet complexity that has made the fernet style a favourite among amaro enthusiasts.
Also securing Gold was Amaro Mancini from Farmacia Fellini, recognised for its depth and layered botanical profile, alongside Ragazzi e Succo’s Amaro, which demonstrated an ‘harmonious balance of honey sweetness and tropical fruity’.
Find even more diverse digestives and cocktail cupboard essentials in this list of the best amaros from Italy, all medal winners at this IWSC 2025.
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
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12 award-winning amaros to try in 2025
