Why You Should Try Drinking Freezing Cold Amaro

Whether you are considering making traditional Italian amaro at home or hosting a DIY amaro party, there's one way you might want to serve your next pour: as cold as possible.

Amaro — which appropriately means "sour" or "bitter" — is a common after-dinner drink that has been credited with properties that aid digestion, according to Wine Enthusiast. The taste of the drink can range from punchy and aromatic to earthy and botanical — it really just depends on what the liqueur has been made from (via MasterClass). We'd like to tell you exactly what is in the syrupy serving, but most recipes for the digestif are well-guarded and kept secret. 

While Italians have been putting back amaro for centuries, Salt Magazine explains the spirit is said to have been derived from wines the Romans would serve after heavy meals. And though the drink itself may not be everyone's favorite, that may simply be a matter of not having sampled the one suitable for your taste buds — or served at the ideal temperature.

The best amari are typically served straight up, but at New York's Maialino, the liqueur is kept cold — freezing cold. At such frigid temperatures, the thick spirit takes on a velvety texture, lending the after-dinner beverage a comforting consistency. Cory Holt, the restaurant's beverage director, even has specific freezer space reserved for amaro.

"The texture just becomes creamier and the mouthfeel becomes richer. I think it obviously softens the ABV — it doesn't feel as boozy," Holt told Epicurious. While some purists may argue this dampens the taste, Holt is aiming to soften the flavor and texture of the digestif with colder temperatures. On the Sauce Again offers alternative options — using chilled glasses to enjoy neat servings or including a shot into cocktails like the Negroni and Black Manhattan, which are normally served cold.

The next time you find a spirit like amaro a bit too harsh for your liking, consider chilling it in subzero temperatures. This may bring any strong-tasting elements back into balance so you can better enjoy the drink.