Bitters · Explainer
What is amaro?
Amaro is the Italian word for bitter and the collective name for Italian herbal bitters that are served after a meal. In Regulation (EU) 2019/787 they fall under category 30, bitter or bitter. Well-known names are Averna, Montenegro, Ramazzotti, Fernet-Branca, Cynar and Vecchio Amaro del Capo. According to the producer, Montenegro has existed since 1885.
In brief
The key figures
| Meaning | Amaro is Italian for bitter |
|---|---|
| Plural | Amari |
| Legal category | Category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787: bitter or bitter |
| Trade association | Federvini, Rome, represents the Italian aperitivi and liquori |
| Montenegro | According to Montenegro Srl, since 1885 |
| Related category | Nocino or orehovec is category 38 |
| Minimum alcohol, distilled spirits | 15% vol |
| Age limit | 18 years, Alcohol Act article 20 |
What does the word amaro mean?
Amaro means bitter in Italian; the plural is amari.
As a product name, amaro stands for an Italian herbal bitter: a spirit in which herbs, roots, bark and citrus peel have been steeped. The word indicates a flavour direction, not one fixed recipe.
Under European rules, amaro is not a category of its own. The bottles fall under category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, which is known in full as bitter or bitter.
When do you drink an amaro?
An amaro is mostly served in Italy after dinner, as digestivo, neat and at room temperature or with an ice cube.
Lighter amari are also drunk before the meal, as aperitivo, or diluted with tonic or spa rood. Campari and Martini Riserva Special Bitter carry the word bitter on the label and belong to that side of the shelf.
There is no set rule. Ask in the shop what suits the occasion.
Which styles of amaro are there?
Amari range from light aperitif bitters to heavy herbal bitters of the fernet style.
The names that turn up most often in the Netherlands are Averna, Montenegro, Ramazzotti, Vecchio Amaro del Capo, Cynar and Fernet-Branca. Most houses do not reveal exactly which herbs go into them.
Cynar names artichoke as a raw material on the label. For category 30, the regulation looks not at the raw material but at the bitter taste.
Is amaro the same as a Dutch herbal bitter?
Amaro and Dutch herbal bitter both fall under category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, but they are different traditions.
Dutch herbal bitter belongs to the jenever and beerenburg tradition. Beerenburg even has its own category in the regulation, number 43.
An amaro comes from the Italian aperitivo and digestivo tradition. Federvini, the Italian trade association in Rome, represents those producers alongside the wine and spirits sector.
What do you look for when choosing an amaro?
Look at three things: how sweet you want it, how much bitterness you can handle, and whether you use the bottle neat or in a cocktail.
The label lists the producer, the country and the sales name. What other herbs are in it is not disclosed by most houses.
In Bathmen staan de Italiaanse bitters bij elkaar in het schap. Kom langs en vraag ernaar. Vanaf 18 jaar; NIX18.
From the shop in Bathmen
Which Italian bitters are available in Bathmen?
The shop in Bathmen stocks 14 Italian bitters from 9 different brands. Prices range from € 9.99 to € 135.99. The alcohol percentage ranges from 10% to 39%.
- Averna Amaro 29% · 100 cl · Italy
- AVERNA Amaro Sicillano 32% · 70 cl · Italy
- Campari Bitter 25% · 100 cl · Italy
- Campari Bitter 25% · 70 cl · Italy
- Campari Bitter 3L 25% · 300 cl · Italy
- Campari Soda L'Aperitivo 10% · 49 cl · Italy
- China Martini Bitter 25% · 70 cl · Italy
- Cynar 16.5% · 70 cl · Italy
- Fernet-Branca 39% · 70 cl · Italy
- Martini Riserva Special Bitter 20% · 70 cl · Italy
Related questions
What is a cocktail bitters?What is a herbal bitters?What is a negroni and which bottles do you need for it?
Short answer
Short answers to related questions
- What is the plural of amaro?
- Amari. Amaro is the Italian word for bitter.
- Is Campari an amaro?
- Campari carries the word bitter on its label and belongs to the Italian aperitif bitters. Like amaro, it falls under category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
- What is the difference between amaro and vermouth?
- Vermouth is a flavoured wine; amaro is a spirit drink from category 30. In the shop they stand on two different shelves.
- How do you serve an amaro?
- Usually neat after the meal, at room temperature or with an ice cube. Lighter amari are also diluted with tonic or Spa Rood.
- Since when does Amaro Montenegro exist?
- According to Montenegro Srl since 1885. The brand is produced and bottled in Italy.
The reasoning
Sources
- Verordening (EU) 2019/787 betreffende gedistilleerde dranken, EUR-Lex, European Union (accessed 2026-09-06)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I: categories of spirit drinks, legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives (accessed 2026-09-06)
- Federvini, Italiaanse federatie van producenten en handelaren in wijn en gedistilleerd, Federvini, Rome (accessed 6 September 2026)
- Amaro Montenegro, Montenegro Srl (accessed 2026-09-06)
- Alcoholwet, Overheid.nl (accessed 2026-09-06)
This page was written and checked by ’t Bockje Bathmen, wine and spirits shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Last updated on 7 September 2026.
Verkoop van alcohol onder de 18 jaar is verboden. NIX18.