Our Guide to Meletti Amaro & How to Use it in Cocktails

Produced in Ascoli-Piceno on the Adriatic coast of Italy, Amaro Meletti belongs to the family of Amari. These Italian liqueurs are known for their herbal ingredients and bittersweet flavor - and Amaro Meletti is no different. It is made from a secret combination of botanicals and herbs which include Sibillini saffron, orange peel, gentian, and cloves. It's a delicious digestif of 32% ABV, traditionally served neat or on rocks after a scrumptious meal. 

But Meletti also tastes great when poured into coffee, in Spritzes, or Amaro Meletti cocktails. With an alcohol content of 32% ABV, it can be used as the base of a drink but also in split-base cocktails or as a sweetener. 

What exactly is Meletti Amaro?

Amaro Meletti is a mid-shelf Amaro with a distinct bittersweet taste and limited bitterness. Its aftertaste is quite unique and combines a sweet caramel flavor with hints of saffron. Meletti contains 32% of alcohol and is typically served as a digestif, either on the rocks or neat. However, it also works great in mixed drinks like cocktails or Spritzes.

The founder, Silvio Meletti, invented a unique distilling technique using a bain-marie still. This unique production process, combined with his secret formula, is the key to (Amaro) Meletti's success. The Meletti itself not only produces Amaro but also other types of liqueurs (see our paragraph about the other Meletti products below for more information). Most of the ingredients used in these recipes are sourced locally in the Le Marche region.

Farmers in the Ascoli-Piceno region often produce exclusively for Meletti. This way, the brand can ensure a high-quality standard across its product range and also shows its terroir consistently.

Facts sheet

• Type of alcohol: Liqueur / Amaro (Italian herbal liqueur)
• Origin: Le Marche, Italy
• ABV: 32% 
• Price: $22 per 750ml bottle
• Ingredients: Known ingredients are clove, anise, saffron, orange peel, gentian roots, and violet flowers.
• Taste: Herbal and fruity with a slightly bitter taste
• Best served: Neat or on the rocks

How does Amaro Meletti taste?

Meletti is a delightful amaro with an excellent blend of aromatic fruits, herbs, and spices that creates a perfectly balanced taste - not too bitter, not too sweet. While it's traditionally enjoyed on its own after a meal, its unique flavors of sweet orange peel, bitter gentian root, and hints of cloves make it a great addition to cocktails.

In terms of appearance, it has a medium amber/caramel color, unlike the typical dark brown of similar Amari. On the nose, you'll notice the lovely scents of gentian and florals. When you take a sip, you'll experience a medium-full body with notes of cinnamon, cloves, anise, and the enchanting floral essence, like a harmonious sextet of flavors.

It's not overwhelmingly bitter - the sweetness lingers throughout the finish, which might be a little too sweet for some. The aftertaste is also pretty sweet and almost caramel-like with hints of (Sibillini) saffron. But overall, Meletti Amaro is a fascinating and delightful experience for your taste buds. Enjoy it neat or get creative and mix it into your favorite cocktails. It's a true testament to the skill behind its secret family recipe. 

Best Substitutes

If you're looking for substitutes for Amaro Meletti, I highly recommend trying out Amaro Nonino Quintessentia and Amaro Averna. These top-notch Amari share a similar flavor profile and make fantastic alternatives for enjoying neat or cocktails.

Another excellent option worth exploring is Amaro Montenegro. Its delightful taste and versatility make it a perfect substitute, offering a unique twist to your favorite drinks.

For a more comprehensive list of possible alternatives, be sure to check out our overview of Amaro Meletti substitutes. Discover a world of exciting flavors and find the perfect match for your palate! Cheers to exploring the realm of Amari and finding your new favorite!

How to serve Meletti Amaro?

Meletti can be enjoyed in various delightful ways, allowing you to explore its exquisite flavors to the fullest. Here are the most common and enjoyable methods of serving this versatile digestivo:

• Sip it Neat: Embrace the rich complexities of Meletti Amaro by savoring it neat. This is the best to enjoy its delightful blend of aromatic fruits, herbs, and spices with every smooth sip.
• On the Rocks: For a more refreshing experience, serve Meletti Amaro over ice, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop as it chills. Garnish with a slice of orange to highlight the bitter orange flavors in Meletti.
• In Cocktails: Get creative with cocktails by incorporating Meletti Amaro into classic recipes like Negroni or Manhattan, adding an intriguing twist to your favorite libations.

Inspiration for Amaro Meletti cocktails

Amaro Meletti works best in bold and boozy drinks with complex flavor profiles. This way, the elaborate herbal and floral flavors are showcased perfectly. It's great in a Black Manhattan, a whiskey Old Fashioned, a Negroni, or as an alternative for Aperol in a Paper Plane cocktail. Here are some cocktails made with Meletti Amaro you should make at home.

Amaro Sour

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Meletti Amaro
• .75 oz Bourbon or rye
• 1 oz lemon juice
• .25 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white

Steps:

1. Combine Meletti Amaro, Bourbon, lemon, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker without ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds to incorporate the egg white.
3. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until chilled.
4. Double strain the mixture into a double rocks glass with ice.
5. Garnish with a cocktail cherry and a twist of lemon.

Ascoli Negroni

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Botanical Gin
• 1 oz Meletti Amaro
• 1 oz Meletti 1870
• 3 dashes of orange bitters

Steps:

1. Stir Botanical Gin, Meletti Amaro, Meletti 1870, and orange bitters with ice.
2. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

Hanky Panky

Ingredients:

• 2 oz London Dry Gin
• 1 oz Meletti Amaro
• .25 oz Fernet Branca

Steps:

1. Add London Dry Gin, Meletti Amaro, and Fernet Branca into a mixing glass.
2. Stir with ice until well chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.

Italian Summer Shandy

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Meletti Amaro
• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• ¾ oz Simple Syrup
• 3 Ginger Coins
• 3 oz Italian Light Beer

Steps:

1. In a shaker, muddle ginger in simple syrup.
2. Add Meletti Amaro, gin, lemon Juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Top with ice and shake for 15 seconds or until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a pilsner glass over fresh ice.
5. Top with Italian Light Beer.
6. Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger.

Amaro Flip

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Meletti Amaro
• .75 oz fresh lemon juice
• .5 oz rich simple syrup 2:1
• 1 whole egg

Steps:

1. Add Meletti Amaro, fresh lemon, rich simple syrup (2:1), and a whole egg into a shaker.
2. Dry shake, then shake with ice.
3. Double-strain the mixture into a lowball glass without ice.

Sardinian Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 oz LaLuca Prosecco
• 1 oz Meletti Amaro
• .5 oz lime juice

Steps:

1. Pour LaLuca Prosecco, Meletti Amaro, and lime juice into a highball glass with ice.
2. Garnish with a lime wheel.

A brief look at the history of Meletti

Silvio Meletti founded the Meletti company intending to create a world-class anise liqueur that surpasses the leading products from Italy and France. He studied the production processes of these liqueurs closely to find out the best way to make his product. In the end, he came up with a new and unique way of obtaining flavors of ingredients.

The base spirit used for producing Meletti is made from molasses and beetroot. This spirit is then mixed with his secret ingredients to extract their flavors. Silvio Meletti used a cold-extraction process which is better known as percolation. This process is quite similar to brewing drip coffee:

Different ingredients are put in the upper part of the still before alcohol is poured over and through the mix. The resulting infusion is poured over the ingredients again and again. Once the master distiller is happy with the flavor, color, and aroma of the liqueur, it is filtered and bottled.

How is Meletti liqueur produced?

Silvio Meletti founded the Meletti company with the goal of creating a world-class anise liqueur that surpasses the leading products from Italy and France.

He studied the production processes of these liqueurs closely to find out the best way to make his product. In the end, he came up with a new and unique way of obtaining flavors of ingredients.

The base spirit used for producing Meletti is made from molasses and beetroot. This spirit is then mixed with his secret ingredients to extract their flavors.

Silvio Meletti used a cold-extraction process which is better known as percolation. This process is quite similar to brewing drip coffee:

Different ingredients are put in the upper part of the still before alcohol is poured over and through the mix.

The resulting infusion is poured over the ingredients again and again. Once the master distiller is happy with the flavor, color, and aroma of the liqueur, it is filtered and bottled.

Other Meletti products

Meletti's diverse range of products caters to a wide range of palates, each offering a unique and delightful drinking experience. Here's a quick overview of their products:

• 1870 Bitter Aperitivo: Another Amaro, this balanced bittersweet liqueur is made of aromatic herbs and spices, reminiscent of classic Italian aperitivos like Campari. 
• Anisette: A luscious treat with a smooth and velvety anise flavor, evoking warm memories of traditional Mediterranean liqueurs.
• Cioccolato: Captures the rich indulgence of chocolate, perfect for after-dinner enjoyment or as an addition to dessert-inspired cocktails.
• Coffee: A bold and aromatic coffee liqueur, offering a refined alternative to typical coffee spirits.
• Dry Anisette: Delivers a distinctive flavor of vibrant licorice-like goodness, setting it apart from traditional anise spirits.
• Fernet: Intensely herbal and bitter with balanced complexity, Meletti's Fernet is inspired by the flavors of the Italian countryside and is a competitor of Fernet Branca and Fernet Stock.
• Limoncello: An Italian classic - bursting with the zesty essence of lemons, offering a refreshing and citrusy delight, perfect for warm summer days.
• Sambuca: Holds to its Italian heritage with an anise-forward profile, delivering a delightful taste and aromatic experience.

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