Feature

Recipe of the week: Amaro cucciolo

In cocktail bars and upscale Italian restaurants around the country, “amaro is hot right now.”

In cocktail bars and upscale Italian restaurants around the country, “amaro is hot right now,” said M. Carrie Allan in The Washington Post. The bittersweet liqueur comes in so many styles that you’ll never run out of options. Still, “the do-it-yourself kind is surprisingly easy”—once you’ve located gentian root online or in a natural food store. Plan on giving each batch five weeks to mature.

Amaro cucciolo
(Recipe courtesy of Jeff Faile, beverage director at Fiola)

  • Rind of one large grapefruit (no white pith), cut into thin strips
  • 1 tsp anise seed
  • 6 sage leaves
  • 6 mint leaves
  • leaves from 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 allspice berry
  • ½ tsp whole cloves
  • ½ tsp gentian root, preferably in bark form
  • 3 cups 100–151 proof vodka
  • 1 cup simple syrup

Combine grapefruit rind, anise seed, sage, mint, rosemary, allspice berry, cloves, and gentian root in a 32-oz glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Add vodka. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks, shaking once each day.

Make simple syrup: Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan and place over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to medium-low, then cook for another 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, then pour into vodka container and swirl to incorporate. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks.

Strain the mixture, discarding the solids. Serve neat, on the rocks, or with a slice of lemon in a small, chilled glass.

Recommended

Thousands march for democracy in Poland
Protesters march in Poland against the government.
A Polish Protest

Thousands march for democracy in Poland

10 things you need to know today: June 4, 2023
The aftermath of a deadly train crash in India.
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: June 4, 2023

More than 260 killed and 900 injured in Indian train crash
The aftermath of a deadly train crash in India.
Rest in Peace

More than 260 killed and 900 injured in Indian train crash

10 things you need to know today: June 3, 2023
President Joe Biden during an Oval Office address on the debt ceiling.
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: June 3, 2023

Most Popular

Is Trump's wall working?
International Border Wall Between Tecate California and Tecate Mexico.
Briefing

Is Trump's wall working?

Can Chris Christie make a comeback?
A black and white photo of Chris Christie waving
Profile

Can Chris Christie make a comeback?

YouTube to stop deleting false claims about 2020 election
The YouTube logo seen in London in 2019.
Reversing Course

YouTube to stop deleting false claims about 2020 election