LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2021

THAT’S AMARO!

Cocktail hour Whether it’s the main ingredient or a potent modifier that can transform a drink with a small splash, amaro has become such a cocktail essential that it’s widely known as a “bartender’s secret weapon.”

Paperino

Capo Americano

Monte Mula

Amaro Montenegro LCBO 601484, $27.70

Caffo Vecchio Amaro del Capo LCBO 16081, $31.20 The world-famous herbs from the southern Italian region of Calabria—expertly blended and bottled up. Serve chilled to savour the mint, chamomile and licorice.

Amaro Lucano LCBO 285163, $25.15

Since it’s low in alcohol and cocktail-friendly, this amaro from Bologna, Italy, can be used instead of a lot of higher-proof spirits to make a lighter low-ABV drink.

Made according to a secret recipe dating back to 1894, this is one of the more complex blends currently being made. Perfect for both mixing and straight sipping.

Less is More Amaro shines in simple cocktails with dry, straight- forward ingredients. And since it’s so versatile, you can often swap in a different brand and find the recipe still works. Find these recipes on page 165.

Did you know? Much like the Scoville scale for spice, there is also a measure for bitterness—International Bitterness Units (IBU). And while all amaro is bitter, there’s a wide range, from the ones with a gentle sting to those that tip the IBU scale right over.

PAIRING AMARO Though they may taste bitter, all amaro recipes contain sugar to tone down the sharpness, so steer clear of mixing it with liqueurs, simple syrup and other sweet ingredients.

tonicwater Adding bitter tonic to amaro sounds wrong but tastes so right.

lemon Citrus, especially lemon, punches back some of the boldest bitter notes in amaro.

mint Fresh mint can help bring out a herbal amaro’s hidden fragrant notes.

Cream Although amaro can be a bully in a drink, cream magically mellows out its sharp edges.

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AUTUMN 2021 FOOD & DRINK