Mondino Amanero Herbal Liqueur. Organic herbal bitters made from over 30 herbal essences, aged for months in wooden barrels, 31% vol – the digestivo from the Chiemgau region.
Mondino Amanero Herbal Liqueur is an organic herbal bitter from Traunstein in the Chiemgau region: over 30 herbal essences and fine citrus notes, aged for months in wooden barrels, handmade, 31% vol, 700 ml. Not an aperitif for a Spritz, not a mild semi-bitter, no artificial coloring – a bold Amaro for the small glass after a meal.
Amanero Herbal Liqueur by Mondino is a herbal bitter; the producer calls it Amaro Bavarese and Digestivo Buonissimo. The difference to the aperitif from the same distillery lies in the timing and the strength: A bitter aperitif like the Amaro Bavarese Rosso is light at 18% vol, fruit-forward, and made for a Spritz before a meal. A herbal bitter is herb-forward, has significantly more alcohol at 31% vol, and is served neat in Italy after the plate is empty. We classify it as a herbal liqueur, while the producer calls it a herbal bitter; both refer to the same spirit made from herbal extracts, bitter substances, and barrel aging time. The roast is eaten, the table is still full – that is when the shot of Amanero comes out.
Bold herbs, fine citrus notes, and the warmth of the wooden barrel
Amanero has a bold herbal taste, backed by fine citrus notes and the warm roundness from the barrel. The producer describes it as complex and refined, made for fans of powerful herbal aromas.
According to Mondino, there are over 30 herbal essences in the bottle; the producer does not name them individually. In the glass, it smells spicy and bitter; on the palate, it is soft and reminiscent of orange peel, a hint of honey, and roasted coffee beans before the herbal bitterness takes over the finish. The months in the wooden barrel smooth out the edges without removing the bitterness. At 31% vol, it is the strongest Mondino and, as a herbal bitter, is significantly more tart than the aperitif. If you are looking for the softer barrel-aged version, choose the Amaro Bavarese Stagionato with 24% vol.
Neat or on ice after a meal, in an Old Fashioned, and in a Negroni with depth
Amanero is intended as a digestivo: served neat or on ice, after a meal, in a small glass. The producer also recommends it for Negroni variations with more depth and for bitter cocktails like the Old Fashioned.
Served neat, it goes into a shot glass at room temperature; on ice, it becomes rounder and softer. In a Negroni, it replaces the red bitter and makes the drink darker and more herbal; in an Old Fashioned, it gives the whisky its bitter component. It is a spirit with 31% vol; it may only be sold to persons aged 18 and over. Store the bottle in a cool and dark place, even after opening.
Our tip: After a Sunday roast, serve 2 cl of Amanero neat in a small glass alongside an espresso – the roasted notes of the coffee and the herbs of the bitter complement each other.
The recipe from the 1960s – Master Distiller Hans, Italy, and the Chiemgau
Mondino comes from the Schnitzer distillery in Kaltenbach near Traunstein, a family distillery in the Chiemgau that, according to the producer, has existed for over 100 years. Amanero ties into this Italian-Bavarian history.
Master Distiller Hans learned his trade in Italy in the 1960s and brought the recipe back to the Chiemgau. His grandson Max revived the family recipe with his friends Ferdinand, Florian, and Benedikt: consistently organic, with regional ingredients and little sugar. For the Amanero, the more than 30 herbal essences are stored in wooden barrels for months. It is handmade, and the herbs are certified organic and sourced from the region whenever possible; the organic inspection body is DE-ÖKO-007.
For fans of herbal bitters, the home bar, and as a gift after a festive dinner
Amanero is the bottle for everyone for whom a supermarket herbal liqueur is too sweet and a classic Italian Amaro is too remote. It fits in the home bar for Negronis and Old Fashioneds and as a gift for people who enjoy bitter flavors.
You can find all Mondino bottles on our Mondino page, and other liqueurs in the Liqueurs category. Amanero is not suitable for those who expect a mild, sweet herbal liqueur – it is bitter, bold, and served in small sips. And it is not for a Spritz: the Rosso is for that.
Over 30 herbal essences, months in wooden barrels, and 31% vol – the organic herbal bitter from the Chiemgau for a shot after a Sunday meal and an Old Fashioned in the home bar.
