THE STORY – SINCE 1868:

In 1859, Salvatore Averna—justice of the peace and benefactor—received the secret recipe from Frà Girolamo, prior of the Abbey of the Holy Spirit, as thanks for his generosity. This ancient herbal elixir from Benedictine monks became Sicily’s first licensed spirit in 1868.

Royal Recognition: In 1895, King Umberto I awarded the family a gold pin. In 1912, Victor Emmanuel III granted rights to display the royal crest, making Averna a supplier to the royal household.

Legacy: After 110 years as a family craft, it became a major Italian brand (1978). Gruppo Campari acquired it in 2014 for €103.75 million, but production remains in Caltanissetta using the unchanged 1868 recipe.

60 SECRET INGREDIENTS:

Only a handful of 60 total ingredients are known:

Sicilian bitter oranges and lemons (including essential oils)

Pomegranates, liquorice, myrtle

Juniper berries, rosemary, sage, mint

Caramel (for sweetness and thick texture)

Plus 50+ secret herbs, roots, spices, Mediterranean botanicals

PRODUCTION:

Herbs, roots, spices, and citrus rinds are macerated in neutral spirit. Essential oils from bitter oranges and lemons are infused through a lengthy process. Caramel added for thick, syrupy consistency. Bottled when all ingredients are perfectly blended.

APPEARANCE:

Deep chocolate brown with bronze/red-golden highlights.

TASTING NOTES:

Nose: Cola, bitter orange, Mediterranean herbs, jasmine, spicy freshness.

Palate: Bittersweet and mouth-coating. Thick, syrupy texture. Bitter orange zest, liquorice, caramel, mocha coffee, cola. Mediterranean herbs (myrtle, juniper, rosemary, sage). Gentle bitterness balanced by sweetness. Cinnamon, honey notes.

Finish: Long with liquorice, cola, cacao, orange zest, and gentian freshness. Smooth and chocolatey.

CHARACTER:

“Medium amaro” with balanced bitterness and moderate sweetness. Often called a “gateway amaro”,—more intensely sweet than aggressive options like Fernet. Thick consistency from caramel makes it approachable, while 60 ingredients provide complexity. Authentic Sicilian experience in every sip.

CLASSIC COCKTAILS:

Black Manhattan: 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz Averna, 2 dashes bitters. Stir, strain. Strong with caramel-chocolate notes.

Averna Spritz: 3 oz Prosecco, 2 oz Averna, 1 oz soda. Build over ice with lemon. Bubbly and bittersweet.

Paper Plane: Equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Averna, lemon juice. Shake, strain. Perfectly balanced.

Averna Negroni: Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Averna. Mellower than classic.

FOOD PAIRING:

Traditional digestif aids digestion after rich meals. Pairs with chocolate desserts, espresso, aged cheeses, Sicilian sweets, citrus desserts.

WHY AVERNA:

Italy’s best-selling amaro since 1868

150+ years Sicilian heritage

60 secret ingredients from the abbey recipe

Royal House of Savoy recognition

Perfect gateway amaro (approachable yet complex)

Thick, syrupy, mouth-coating texture

Versatile: neat, rocks, cocktails

Staple in Italian homes for generations

Gluten-free

MADE IN SICILY, ITALY at Caltanissetta since 1868. From Benedictine abbey to royal household to homes worldwide—Averna captures the vibrant essence of Sicily in every thick, bittersweet, aromatic sip. More than an amaro—an authentic Sicilian experience.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.