Santoni Amaro (50cl, 16%)

Santoni Amaro is an Italian aperitivo from Tuscany, based on a personal recipe created by Gabriello Santoni in 1961. It is a floral, lightly bitter amaro at 16% in a 50cl bottle, made with 34 natural botanicals. Rhubarb, iris flower and olive leaf play the leading roles, alongside sweet and bitter orange, rose, elderflower, ginseng, cardamom, gentian, ginger, juniper, sage and wild fennel. The colour is a slightly hazy red with orange glints. The nose opens with spice and roots, then fresher herbs and flowers. The palate starts delicately with herbal and floral flavours, followed by citrus and a controlled bitterness. It can be drunk neat, over ice or in cocktails.