Chamomile is the softener. Its dried flowers give apple, honey and hay, with just enough bitterness in the tea-like tannin to belong in an amaro rather than a liqueur.
It appears most in the gentler bittersweet bottlings — Amaro Montenegro is the classic, where chamomile-adjacent florals sit alongside orange and coriander to create something almost perfumed.
Chamomile also explains why some amari work in stirred drinks that would normally be reserved for vermouth: the floral, wine-like register slots straight into a Manhattan or a Martini variation.
What chamomile tastes like
Apple, honey, hay and light tea tannin.
Behind the bar
- ✦Floral amari are the easiest entry point for new drinkers — start here.
- ✦Chamomile pairs with vodka and blanco tequila where heavier amari would smother.
- ✦Avoid over-shaking; aeration blows off the delicate florals.
Amari made with chamomile
Bottles from the Encyclopedia of Amaro that list it among their botanicals.
- Agala Altitud 1175Canary Islands, Spain · Around 20% ABV
- Amaro Alpino BordigaPiedmont, Northern Italy · 35% ABV
- Branca MentaLombardy, Northern Italy · 28% ABV
- BraulioLombardy, Italian Alps · 21% ABV
- CynarVeneto, Northern Italy · 16.5% ABV (Cynar 70 is 35%)
- Cynar 70Lombardy / Veneto · 35% ABV
- Elisir NovasalusTrentino, Northern Italy · 16% ABV
- Fernet StockFriuli-Venezia Giulia, Northeast Italy · 38% ABV
- Fernet-BrancaLombardia, Northern Italy · 39% ABV
- Fernet-VittonePiedmont, Northern Italy · 40% ABV
- Génépy / Amaro AlpinoWestern Alps, Italy and France · 30–40% ABV
- Leopold Bros Three Pins Alpine Herbal LiqueurUnited States · 30%
Chamomile: frequently asked questions
Which amaro is the most floral?
Amaro Montenegro is the reference point — chamomile-like florals, orange peel and coriander over a light bitter base.