TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Liqueur Types
Averna is a popular Italian bitter digestif that was named after its inventor Salvatore Averna who created it in 1868. Some sources state that the recipe was handed to the Avernas by a monk of the local San Spirito monastery. The exact ingredient list remains the Averna family secret, but this bittersweet liqueur is said to be made with more than 60 different herbs, roots, pomegranate, and the essential oils of bitter Sicilian lemons.
Though Averna is typically enjoyed on its own, served on the rocks or neat, it can also be used for various cocktails.
Hailing from Saronno, this renowned amaretto brand is produced with a base spirit, apricot kernel oil, burnt sugar, and 17 different herbs, fruits, and spices. The brand claimed the invention of the original amaretto in the 16th century, and throughout history, its production has remained in the hands of Reina family. Disaronno is distinguished for its use of apricot kernel oil, which provides it with a distinctive combination of almond and apricot flavors.
Because of its sweetness and smooth texture, it can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but it can also work well in a variety of cocktails and long drinks.
This classic liqueur is made with different combinations of neutral spirits, caramel, sweet or bitter almonds, various herbs, spices, and occasionally apricot kernel oil. Though its name stems from the Italian amaro, meaning bitter, amaretto is characterized by its sweet almond flavor and hints of bitter notes.
It can be served neat, over ice, with lemon juice or coffee. Amaretto is often used in the preparation of various desserts, while the most popular amaretto-based cocktails include Godfather, Amaretto sour, Almond kiss, and Nutcracker Martini.
VARIATIONS OF Amaretto
This pale gold liqueur is distilled from a hazelnut infusion which is blended with various flavoring agents such as vanilla, chocolate, or coffee. The base concentrate is then combined with alcohol, sugar, and water before it is left to age. Frangelico is a well-balanced, sweet liqueur, characterized by its strong hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla aromas.
The story of its origin is mainly associated with Christian monks who resided in Piedmont and were allegedly the first to produce hazelnut distillates. The original shape of the bottle, reminiscent of monks’ habit, and its name were also inspired by a similar legend of a hermit monk named Fra’ Angelico.
This Italian liqueur is made with lemon zest that is left to infuse in a neutral spirit. The combination is mixed with sugar and water, and it is then filtered after a resting period. Although it is enjoyed and produced throughout Italy, limoncello is usually associated with Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri, where it was first patented in 1988.
Limoncello is characterized by its vibrant yellow color, while its flavor is fresh, sweet, and aromatic, with strong citrus notes. It is usually enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, always well chilled and sometimes served in ice-cold glasses. As an ingredient, it is used in cocktails and long drinks, but it is also easily incorporated in various desserts.
THE BEST Limoncello Fruit Liqueurs
Hailing from Padua, this Italian liqueur was invented in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers. It has been produced following the original secret infusion that combines bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, herbs, and alcohol. It is characterized by its combination of bitter, fruity, and floral flavors and a low alcohol content of only 11% ABV. Aperol was initially invented as an apéritif, preferably served over ice, but it also pairs incredibly well with citrus or fruit juices, and soda.
The most popular combination is undoubtedly Aperol Spritz—the fashionable, light apéritif that combines Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda water.
Nocino is an Italian liqueur that is prepared with a maceration of unripe green walnuts in a combination of alcohol and sugar, with the occasional addition of spices, predominantly cinnamon and cloves. The process results in a dark, almost syrupy drink, with a slightly bitter, strong walnut flavor.
Though it is found throughout the country and the Swiss Ticino canton, the liqueur is traditionally associated with Emilia-Romagna, where it is usually prepared on the Festa di San Giovanni, celebrated on June 24th. Nowadays, nocino is frequently factory produced, though the homemade varieties are still held in high regard.
VARIATIONS OF Nocino
Lucano is an Italian amaro that is flavored with more than 30 botanicals. Some of them are familiar such as wormwood, sage, gentiana, angelica, bitter orange, and ruta, but the exact composition and the recipe remain secret. The resulting drink is clear, with an appealing mahogany color.
The flavor is bittersweet and herbaceous, with some spiciness. The aromas are citrusy and herbal, with hints of spices. It is bottled at 28% ABV. Amaro is best served neat, preferably well chilled, or on the rocks. It is usually enjoyed as a digestif, but it also works well in cocktails and mixed drinks.
Bràulio is an Italian amaro that was created in 1875 by Francesco Peloni, a chemist from Bormio who was an expert in medicinal herbs from the alpine Valtellina region. Although the recipe and the exact ingredients are kept secret, it is known that the drink is made with the infusion of various herbs, roots, plants from Valtellina such as gentian root, wormwood, juniper berries, and achillea.
The botanicals are dried and ground before they are added to the alcohol infusion. Springwater and sugar are added, and the filtered blend is left to mature for two years in Slavonian oak. The process results in a balanced, amber-colored amaro that is subtly bitter, herbaceous, and earthy, with hints of sweetness and spiciness.
Amaro is a potent digestif with a silky, sometimes even syrupy structure that originated in the 1800s. It is traditionally produced by macerating several herbs, flowers, aromatic bark, citrus peels, and spices in alcohol, either spirits or wine.
The blend is then mulled with sugar syrup before being put to age. Although the Italian word amaro translates to bitter, the flavors of this herbal liqueur are complex and may range from earthy and bitter to syrupy and almost sweet, depending on its age and ingredients used in the blend.
VARIATIONS OF Amaro
THE BEST Amaro Herbal Liqueurs

Straightaway
Accompani Mari Gold Amaro
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2024, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Liqueur Producers
Distilleria Sibona is one of the oldest distilleries in the Piedmont region, located in the heart of Roero. It is renowned for its artisanal production of grappa, utilizing fresh pomace from prestigious local wineries. Sibona holds a unique historical distillation license and prides itself on its deep connection to traditional methods while incorporating modern techniques to ensure high-quality products.
Their grappa is aged in various types of barrels, including those used for sherry, port, and whiskey, enhancing the flavor profile and creating distinctive spirits.
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2022, 2021, 2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Distilleria Sibona Spirits
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

The Scotch Whisky Masters - Gold
2024, 2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Campari Group Spirits
207 Amaro Locale is a brand that blends the tradition of Italian amaro liqueurs with a modern business approach and strategy. Produced in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, known for its rich culinary heritage, 207 Amaro Locale emphasizes authenticity and the use of local ingredients.
Its global presence is bolstered by its connection to the Pernod Ricard Group, one of the world’s leading producers of alcoholic beverages.
AWARDS

World's Best Bitters - Winner
2024

World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
BEST 207 Amaro Locale Liqueurs
Pallini is one of the oldest and most renowned beverage producers in Rome, founded in 1875 by Nicola Pallini in Antrodoco, a small village in central Italy. The company is famous for producing high-quality liqueurs, particularly its iconic Limoncello, made from handpicked "Sfusato" lemons from the Amalfi Coast.
Pallini exports its products to over 35 countries worldwide and is a leader in the Duty-Free segment and the U.S. market with its Limoncello. In addition to Limoncello, the company produces Mistrà, a dry anise liqueur celebrated as the perfect addition to espresso coffee, as well as Sambvca 313 and a wide range of syrups and other specialties.
Rossi d'Asiago is an Italian distillery founded in 1868 by pharmacist Giovan Battista Rossi in Asiago, a picturesque town in the Venetian Alps. Initially, Rossi created elixirs and natural remedies for tourists, and his products' success led to the establishment of the distillery, which became known as the "highest distillery in Europe." In 1993, the Dal Toso family, with a longstanding tradition in distillation, acquired the Rossi d'Asiago brand, revitalizing it under the name Antiche Distillerie Riunite.
This acquisition included traditional recipes and production techniques passed down since 1868. The distillery is renowned for its innovative products characterized by intense aromas and smooth flavors. Notable creations include Antica Sambuca, a sambuca variant that blends tradition with modernity, and Kranebet, a white bitter liqueur distilled from juniper berries, gentian, and alpine roots, which has become emblematic of the Asiago plateau.
AWARDS

World's Best Anise - Winner
2024
BEST Fabbrica di liquori Izzi - dal 1903 Liqueurs
Contratto is a renowned Italian wine producer, known for its long-standing tradition and innovations in the world of sparkling wines. In addition to sparkling wines, since 1920, they have also been producing vermouths and liqueurs, using original recipes that have remained unchanged.
Today, the winery is part of the UNESCO World Heritage thanks to its historic cellars, known as the "Cathedral of Wine," which were manually excavated and span 5,000 square meters. Contratto continues to blend tradition and innovation, crafting high-quality wines that captivate wine enthusiasts around the globe.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2021

The Liqueur Masters - Master
2022
BEST Compagnia Mediterranea Liquori Liqueurs
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2022
BEST Chiesanuova Liqueurs
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Liqueurs
207 Amaro Locale is a premium Italian herbal liqueur crafted in the Piedmont region. Known for its rich and complex flavor, it is made from a blend of carefully selected local botanicals and herbs, offering a harmonious balance of bitter, sweet, and aromatic notes.
With its artisanal production process, 207 Amaro Locale embodies tradition while appealing to modern tastes. Perfect as a digestif or as a base for creative cocktails, it reflects the essence of Italian craftsmanship and flavor heritage.
AWARDS

World's Best Bitters - Winner
2024

World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
Distilleria Sibona's Bitter 20 Aperitivo is a vibrant and refreshing spirit, crafted with a blend of botanicals that deliver a balanced bitterness. With its 20% ABV, it offers a lighter option for aperitivo moments, perfect for making classic cocktails like Negroni or Spritz.
The aromatic profile features citrus and herbal notes, creating a crisp, invigorating taste. This bitter aperitivo is ideal for those who appreciate a sophisticated, slightly bitter drink with a refreshing twist, reflecting the traditional Italian aperitivo culture.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
Pallini Limoncello Cream is a delicate creamy liqueur that represents the perfect blend of traditional Pallini Limoncello and fresh coconut oil. This infusion is made exclusively from handpicked lemons from the Amalfi Coast, carefully selected for optimal freshness and flavor.
Enjoy this creamy liqueur chilled, on the rocks, or as an addition to your favorite cocktails for a refined and refreshing experience. Pallini Limoncello Cream combines the refreshing taste of lemons with a subtle hint of coconut, offering a unique experience that reflects Mediterranean freshness and Italian tradition.
AWARDS

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 75 Italian Liqueurs” list until April 24, 2025, 1,391 ratings were recorded, of which 1,137 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.