Out of Amaro, one case
Amaro substitute chart
9 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Averna
Same amount as the amaro
Use this comprehensive amaro substitute chart to find the good alternative. Averna is the most versatile (1:1 ratio), Montenegro is sweeter with citrus (1:1 ratio), Cynar is more bitter (1:1 ratio), and Campari is very bitter with citrus (1:1 ratio).
- Best for —
- Most cocktails, balanced flavor
One casethe full amaro card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of amaro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AvernaMost cocktails, balanced flavor | Same amount |
| 2 | MontenegroLight cocktails, citrus-forward drinks | Same amount |
| 3 | CynarComplex cocktails, bitter drinks | Same amount |
| 4 | CampariBitter cocktails, citrus-forward drinks | Same amount |
| 5 | Fernet-BrancaVery bitter cocktails, herbal drinks | Same amount |
| 6 | AperolLight cocktails, aperitifs | Same amount |
| 7 | Amaro NoninoPremium cocktails, complex drinks | Same amount |
| 8 | JägermeisterGerman-style cocktails, herbal drinks | Same amount |
| 9 | BenedictineSweet cocktails, dessert drinks | Same amount |
Averna
- Best for
- Most cocktails, balanced flavor
- Alcohol content
- 29% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Balanced bittersweet herbal
- Sweetness
- Medium
- Bitterness
- Medium
- Herbal notes
- High
- Citrus notes
- Low
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
Montenegro
- Best for
- Light cocktails, citrus-forward drinks
- Alcohol content
- 23% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Orange-forward bittersweet
- Sweetness
- High
- Bitterness
- Low-Medium
- Herbal notes
- Medium
- Citrus notes
- High
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
Cynar
- Best for
- Complex cocktails, bitter drinks
- Alcohol content
- 16.5% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Artichoke-forward bitter
- Sweetness
- Low-Medium
- Bitterness
- High
- Herbal notes
- High
- Citrus notes
- Low
- Availability
- Moderate
- Price
- Moderate
Campari
- Best for
- Bitter cocktails, citrus-forward drinks
- Alcohol content
- 25% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Bitter citrus herbal
- Sweetness
- Low
- Bitterness
- Very High
- Herbal notes
- Medium
- Citrus notes
- High
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
Fernet-Branca
- Best for
- Very bitter cocktails, herbal drinks
- Alcohol content
- 39% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Minty bitter herbal
- Sweetness
- Low
- Bitterness
- Very High
- Herbal notes
- Very High
- Citrus notes
- Low
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
Aperol
- Best for
- Light cocktails, aperitifs
- Alcohol content
- 11% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Light citrus herbal
- Sweetness
- High
- Bitterness
- Low
- Herbal notes
- Low
- Citrus notes
- High
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Low
Amaro Nonino
- Best for
- Premium cocktails, complex drinks
- Alcohol content
- 35% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Complex bittersweet herbal
- Sweetness
- Medium-High
- Bitterness
- Medium
- Herbal notes
- Very High
- Citrus notes
- Medium
- Availability
- Limited
- Price
- High
Jägermeister
- Best for
- German-style cocktails, herbal drinks
- Alcohol content
- 35% ABV
- Flavor profile
- German herbal bitter-sweet
- Sweetness
- Medium
- Bitterness
- High
- Herbal notes
- Very High
- Citrus notes
- Low
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
Benedictine
- Best for
- Sweet cocktails, dessert drinks
- Alcohol content
- 40% ABV
- Flavor profile
- Honey spice herbal
- Sweetness
- High
- Bitterness
- Low
- Herbal notes
- Medium
- Citrus notes
- Low
- Availability
- Widely available
- Price
- Moderate
| Substitute | Alcohol content | Flavor profile | Sweetness | Bitterness | Herbal notes | Citrus notes | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Averna | 29% ABV | Balanced bittersweet herbal | Medium | Medium | High | Low | Widely available | Moderate |
| Montenegro | 23% ABV | Orange-forward bittersweet | High | Low-Medium | Medium | High | Widely available | Moderate |
| Cynar | 16.5% ABV | Artichoke-forward bitter | Low-Medium | High | High | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Campari | 25% ABV | Bitter citrus herbal | Low | Very High | Medium | High | Widely available | Moderate |
| Fernet-Branca | 39% ABV | Minty bitter herbal | Low | Very High | Very High | Low | Widely available | Moderate |
| Aperol | 11% ABV | Light citrus herbal | High | Low | Low | High | Widely available | Low |
| Amaro Nonino | 35% ABV | Complex bittersweet herbal | Medium-High | Medium | Very High | Medium | Limited | High |
| Jägermeister | 35% ABV | German herbal bitter-sweet | Medium | High | Very High | Low | Widely available | Moderate |
| Benedictine | 40% ABV | Honey spice herbal | High | Low | Medium | Low | Widely available | Moderate |
The longer answer
About this case
Choosing the right amaro substitute can be challenging with so many options available. This comprehensive chart provides detailed information about each substitute, including flavor profiles, alcohol content, and best uses. Understanding these characteristics helps you make the good choice for your specific needs.
How it behaves in this recipe
This comprehensive amaro substitute chart provides detailed information about each substitute, including flavor profiles, alcohol content, and best uses. Understanding these characteristics helps you make the good choice for your specific cocktail or cooking needs. The chart is organized by sweetness, bitterness, availability, and price to make selection easier.
Notes on amaro
By sweetness
Sweet: Montenegro, Aperol, Benedictine
Balanced: Averna, Amaro Nonino
Bitter: Cynar, Campari, Fernet-Branca, Jägermeister
By bitterness
Low: Aperol, Benedictine
Medium: Averna, Montenegro, Amaro Nonino
High: Cynar, Campari, Jägermeister
Very high: Fernet-Branca
By availability
Widely available: Averna, Montenegro, Campari, Fernet-Branca, Aperol, Jägermeister, Benedictine
Moderate: Cynar
Limited: Amaro Nonino
By price
Low: Aperol
Moderate: Averna, Montenegro, Cynar, Campari, Fernet-Branca, Jägermeister, Benedictine
High: Amaro Nonino
- Black ManhattanAverna, Cynar, Amaro NoninoNeed balanced herbal complexity
- Amaro sourMontenegro, Averna, Amaro NoninoNeed sweetness to balance acidity
- Amaro spritzAverna, Montenegro, AperolNeed balanced flavor with sparkling wine
- Paper planeAverna, Montenegro, Amaro NoninoNeed balanced bittersweet flavor
- NegroniCampari, CynarNeed high bitterness and herbal notes
- Dessert glazes and syrups
- Marinades for meats and vegetables
- Bittersweet sauces and reductions
- Herb-infused oils and vinegars
- After-dinner digestifs and aperitifs
- General
- Store all amari in cool, dark places away from direct sunlight
- Shelf life
- Indefinite when stored properly
- Temperature
- Room temperature or slightly cooler
- Light
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Air
- Keep bottles sealed when not in use
Questions
5 questionsHow do I use the amaro substitute chart?
Use the chart to compare flavor profiles, alcohol content, and best uses. Choose based on your preference for sweetness, bitterness, and availability. The chart helps you find the good substitute for your specific cocktail or cooking needs.
What's the most versatile amaro substitute?
Averna is the most versatile amaro substitute. It has balanced sweetness and bitterness, making it suitable for most cocktail applications. It's also widely available and reasonably priced.
Which amaro substitute is best for sweet cocktails?
For sweet cocktails, choose Montenegro (orange-forward), Aperol (light citrus), or Benedictine (honey spice). These provide the sweetness needed to balance acidic or bitter ingredients.
What amaro substitute should I use for bitter cocktails?
For bitter cocktails, choose Cynar (artichoke-forward), Campari (citrus bitter), Fernet-Branca (minty bitter), or Jägermeister (German herbal). These provide the high bitterness needed for complex cocktails.
Can I use this chart for cooking applications?
Yes, the chart works for cooking applications too. Choose based on the sweetness and bitterness level you want in your dish. Sweeter amari work well in desserts, while bitter amari work well in savory dishes.