Crafting Cocktails with Granddad's Amaro: Elevate Your Mixology Game
Amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur traditionally enjoyed as an after-dinner digestif, has been a favourite in bars and households for centuries. But in the modern cocktail world, it's versatility knows no bounds. And our Granddad's Amaro, a unique blend of re-distilled wine infused with a caramel note, is perfect for reimagining classic recipes or crafting new ones. Here's how you can experiment and elevate your mixology game with Granddad's Amaro.
The Beauty of Amaro in Cocktails
Amaro brings a complex layer of flavours—ranging from sweet and citrusy to bitter and herbal—that can complement or contrast other ingredients in cocktails. It’s this very complexity that makes it such a valuable component in a mixologist’s arsenal. Granddad's Amaro, with its notes of caramel, adds an extra layer of smoothness that works beautifully in a range of cocktails.
Sucker Punch: For Those Who Like it Bold
This cocktail is designed for the daring, offering a punch of flavours ranging from the spiciness of rye whiskey to the sweetness of sherry, all the while complemented by the complexity of Amaro.
Ingredients:
20ml Granddad’s Amaro30ml Rye Whiskey
15ml Sherry
15ml Lemon Juice
2 x dashes of Barbershop Coffee Liqueur
Instructions:
Add all ingredients and ice into a shaker; shake for 10-15 seconds.
Single strain into a tumbler over a king cube.
Garnish with two dashes of Barbershop coffee liqueur.
Shakerato: The Sophisticated Coffee Kick
For those who enjoy the rich flavours of coffee, this cocktail offers a sophisticated twist to the traditional Italian Shakerato.
Ingredients:
45ml Granddad’s Amaro30ml Barbershop Coffee Liqueur (or espresso)
Instructions:
Add all ingredients and ice into a cocktail shaker.
Shake for 10-15 seconds.
Double strain into another cocktail shaker and dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds.
Pour into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
Garnish with a slice of dehydrated orange, toasted.
Americano Di Italia: A Refreshing Sipper
This cocktail is an ode to the Italian love for simple, elegant aperitifs that stimulate the palate.
Ingredients:
30ml Granddad’s Amaro20ml Sweet Vermouth
Soda Water
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice and pour over the Amaro and Sweet Vermouth.
Top up with Soda water.
Stir the cocktail for 10 seconds.
Garnish with a fresh orange slice.
Delayed Flight: For the Adventurous
A cocktail for those who aren't afraid to explore, this uses the technique of making oleo saccharum, an oil-sugar infusion, to add a rich, citrusy undertone.
Ingredients:
20ml Rye Whiskey20ml Granddad’s Amaro
20ml Orange Oleo Saccharum
20ml Lemon Juice
Instructions:
Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds.Double strain into a Nick & Nora Glass.
Garnish with a paper plane pegged to the side of the glass.
Making Orange Oleo Saccharum:
Zest 4 oranges and mix with 500g of sugar; let sit for 12-24 hours.Add 500ml water and let sit for another 3 hours.
Strain the mixture, pressing the orange zest to release any remaining oils.
In Closing
Granddad's Amaro, with its unique caramel twist, makes for an intriguing ingredient in these cocktails. Each recipe brings out different facets of its complex flavour profile, from the punchy notes in the 'Sucker Punch' to the smooth elegance in 'Americano Di Italia.'
So go ahead, gather some friends, get mixing, and elevate your cocktail hour with the comforting complexity of Granddad's Amaro.
Cheers!