Amaro Nonino is a unique and complex liqueur made with a blend of herbs, spices, and flowers.
It’s often used in cocktails and is known for its bitter, herbal flavor.
If you’re looking for a similar liqueur to use in cocktails, here are some of the best substitutes.
Let’s find out right away what they are!
12 Amaro Nonino Substitutes
Here are my top picks for substituting Amaro Nonino.
1. Amaro Averna
Amaro Averna, as the name suggests, is another Amaro, meaning it has been produced by following the same steps as Amaro Nonino with a bittersweet and herbal taste.
It is important to note that, unlike Amaro Nonino’s strong 35% Alcohol by Volume (AVP) value, the AVP of Amaro Averna is at a lesser 29%, making it a milder alternative.
How to substitute
It is best to substitute Amaro Nonino with equal quantities of Amaro Averna to fully enjoy the overall flavor of your drink.
Back Manhattan cocktail with Averna.
2. Cynar
Another type of Italian liqueur, Cynar, is mainly a plant and herb-based drink made from Artichoke and 13 other herbs with light chocolate and citrus essence.
Do bear in mind that Amaro Nonino and Cynar do not look similar, as the latter has a darker hue and lesser alcohol content of 16.5%.
How to substitute
Due to the low AVP of regular Cynar, it is recommended to use Cynar 70 instead to equally substitute Amaro Nonino for its higher alcohol content.
Sin Cyn cocktail with Cynar.
3. Amaro Meletti
Amaro Meletti makes a great substitute for Amaro Nonino with its rich aroma of spices and caramel-like flavors. It has a 32% AVP making it nearly as strong as Amaro Nonino.
Do note that Amaro Meletti is known to be bitterer than sweet due to the addition of bitter herbs, unlike the bittersweet balance created in Amaro Nonino.
How to substitute
With similar AVP content, Amaro Nonino and Meletti can be substituted for equal quantities of each other in cocktails.
Know more about Amaro Meletti mixology.
4. Amaro Tosolini
Similar to other Amaro liqueurs, Amaro Tosolini is yet another popular one made from 15 different herbs and spices with strong citrusy orange and gentian flavors.
When substituting Amaro Nonino for Amaro Tosolini, it is easy to notice that both are rare to find and equally heavy on the pocket.
How to substitute
Amaro Tosolini has an AVP value of 30% and can be substituted for equal quantities of Amaro Nonino.
Here’s a vibrant cocktail with Amaro Tosolini.
5. Gammel Dansk
This Denmark-native bitter is another efficient alternative to Amaro Nonino, for it is made with 29 intensely flavored herbs and spices.
Do note that being a cocktail bitter, Gammel Dansk is known for its fruity, spicy, and mildly sweet flavors to balance cocktails with a mixture of pleasant impressions.
How to substitute
With a similar golden-brown hue as Amaro Nonino, Gammel Dansk can be substituted in an equal 1:1 proportion.
First impression of Gammel Dansk and more recipes.
6. Chartreuse
Often referred to as the King of Liqueurs, Chartreuse is an intense French alternative to Amaro Nonino prepared from 130 spices and herbs, giving it a distinct green-yellow visual.
A small caution: Chartreuse has a strong AVP ranging from 40% to 55%, making it one of the strongest known liqueurs. It should be incorporated into drinks with caution.
How to substitute
It is suggested to use 2/3rd the quantity of Chartreuse to substitute the mentioned quantity of Amaro Nonino for most drinks.
Here are three colorful ways to enjoy Green Chartreuse.
7. Bonal Gentaine Quina
Bonal Gentaine Quina is a unique alternative to Amaro Nonino with a wine base and the powering bitterness from the Quina infused in its ingredients.
It is crucial to note the difference in their taste and colors. Bona Gentaine Quina has a deep brown-olive color with a strong presence of cherry essence that Amano Nonino lacks.
How to substitute
Even with many flavor disparities, Bonal Gentaine Quina can be substituted for Amaro Nonino for its interesting mix of flavors.
Bonal and Rye cocktail.
8. Angostura Bitters
Angostura Bitters are key elements in many cocktails and mixed beverages for their intense herbaceous cinnamon and clove essence that balance the anise and pepper of Nonino.
However, it is best to note that with an AVP value of 47%, only a few drops of it can easily elevate the strength of most drinks, and caution should be maintained with it.
How to substitute
1/3rd of the amount of Angostura Bitters should be used to substitute the recommended amount of Amaro Nonino, as the latter has a lower AVP of 35%.
Ten of the best cocktails with Angostura bitters.
9. Amaro Montenegro
Amaro Montenegro is one of the very few sweet alternatives to the bittersweet Amaro Nonino. It is made from 40 floral herbs making it a known addition to many cocktails.
Do note that Amaro Montenegro is mostly fruity, citrusy, and honeyed floral flavor and aroma and consequently, a comparatively lower AVP of 23%.
How to substitute
An equal quantity of Amaro Montenegro is suitable to substitute for Amaro Nonino. Slightly more can be added for an added sweet essence.
Here’s a Paper Plane variation with Montenegro.
10. Ramazzotti
Amaro Ramazzotti is the authentic and oldest known Amaro in the world of liqueur and is known for its bitter yet fruity taste from orange peels, aromatic herbs, and roots.
It is important to note the much thicker consistency of this original Amaro Ramazzotti and the sweet orange-infused aftertaste that differentiates it from Amaro Nonino.
How to substitute
With 30% AVP, Ramazzotti and Amaro Nonino can be substituted for an equal 1:1 proportion for cocktails and other drinks.
Ramazzotti Aperitivo Rosato Tonic.
11. Vermouth
Sweet Vermouth is another wine-based alternative to Amaro Nonino for its blend of spices such as cloves, cardamom, star anise, allspice, cinnamon, citric essence, and more.
It is important to know that using Vermouth to substitute Amaro Nonino would result in very prominent changes in the taste and feel of the drink.
How to substitute
It is best to substitute Amaro Nonino with equal quantities of Sweet Vermouth to fully relish the overall flavor of your drink.
Learn how to incorporate Vermouth into your cocktails.
12. Jagermeister
The least-known yet equally efficient substitute for Amaro Nonino is this German herbal liqueur, Jagermeister, brewed from 56 spices and herbs to make a blend of rich flavors.
Do note that although Jagermeister may not be the most sought-after alternative for its intense herbal essence and the texture of thick syrup, it would still work for some cocktails.
How to substitute
Jagermeister and Amaro Nonino have the same AVP content of 35% and can easily be substituted in equal amounts for selected beverages.
Here are five of the best Jagermeister cocktails.
FAQs
The best and closest substitutes for Amaro Averna are other similarly related Amaro liqueurs such as Amaro Averna, Amaro Meletti, Amaro Tosolini, Amaro Montenegro, and other such choices.
All Amaro liqueurs share the common flavors of pepper, anise, and citrus making them bittersweet and processed in the same way.
No, Amaro and Campari are not the same liqueur, nor are they made using the same processes and ingredients. However, some variations of Amaro and Campari can be used to substitute for each other.
Both Amaro and Campari constitute herbal ingredients and have varying degrees of bittersweet flavor.
Although from the same family of Amaro Italian liqueurs, Nonino and Averna have distinct differences. Nonino is prepared from selected botanicals, thyme, saffron, bitter orange, wormwood, and more.
Averna, on the other hand, is lighter with ingredients such as caramelized sugar, vanilla, orange citrus, rosemary, sage, and anise.
The best and most frequently used Amaro Nonino substitute for Paper Plane is Amaro Montenegro, with similar ingredients and taste profiles making it a suitable choice.
It requires the same ingredients as Bourbon whiskey, Montenegro, Aperol, and fresh lemon juice. All ingredients have to be mixed in a cocktail shaker and garnished with a twist of lemon.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an Amaro Nonino substitute, look no further! These substitutes are sure to hit the spot.
Be sure to share this post with your friends and family so they can find the perfect Amaro Nonino substitute for their next drink.
I hope this elaborate journey to the fields of various liquids and condiments helped you learn about the many ways to efficiently substitute Amaro Nonino.