Averna is the dark, velvety Sicilian amaro that earns its keep at the end of a meal. A classic digestivo, it brings herbal depth, a whisper of caramel, and bright citrus to the glass, the kind of after-dinner sipper that makes you want to linger at the table. At our cabin-inspired cocktail bar in West Seattle, Averna is a back-bar favorite. We pour it neat or over ice as a digestivo, and it also does serious work behind the bar as the herbal backbone of our house cocktail, the Musk of Sasquatch.
About the Producer
Averna was created in 1868 by Salvatore Averna in Caltanissetta, Sicily, where it has been made ever since. The recipe traces back to a herbal infusion associated with a local Benedictine abbey, and the family built it into one of Italy’s most recognized amari. The brand is now part of the Campari Group, but it remains rooted in its Sicilian origins.
Style & Flavor
Averna is an amaro, the Italian category of bittersweet herbal liqueurs traditionally enjoyed after dinner. It is made by infusing herbs, roots, and citrus peel, then sweetening with caramel for that signature dark color and rounded body. The profile leans more toward smooth and bittersweet than aggressively bitter.
Tasting Notes
Look for aromas of caramelized orange peel, dried herbs, and warm spice. The palate is mouth-coating and bittersweet, with notes of orange, licorice, and gentle caramel, finishing long and softly bitter. It is rich without being cloying.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
We love Averna neat or over a single large rock as a true digestivo to close out dinner. It also adds herbal, bittersweet complexity to cocktails, including our own Musk of Sasquatch. A pour of Averna at Camp West is $9.
FAQ
What is an amaro? An Italian bittersweet herbal liqueur, usually sipped after a meal to aid digestion and round out the evening.
How should I drink Averna? Neat or on the rocks as a digestivo, or in a cocktail like our Musk of Sasquatch.
Ready to try it? Book a table, browse our liqueurs & amari list, or see the full beverage menu.