Amaro & Tonic

The Amaro & Tonic is a brilliantly simple yet sophisticated drink that highlights the complex flavors of amaro. The herbal, bittersweet notes of the liqueur are lifted and lengthened by the effervescence and quinine tang of tonic water. It's less sweet than a Gin & Tonic, offering a more complex and savory profile. This drink is a perfect introduction to the world of Italian bitter liqueurs in a light and approachable format.
Amaro & Tonic

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Amaro & Tonic is primarily categorized as an aperitif, designed to be enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Its preparation style, served tall over ice with a carbonated mixer, firmly places it in the highball category. This makes it a refreshing and simple pre-dinner cocktail.

Serving

Served cold over plenty of ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, this is a refreshing, low-ABV drink. Its simple presentation makes it quick to prepare and easy to enjoy.
Serving size
Approximately 200-240 ml / 7-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 5-10% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While it lacks a specific singular origin story, the Amaro & Tonic is a natural evolution of Italy's strong aperitivo culture. Italians have long enjoyed amaro on its own or with soda water as a pre-dinner drink. The global popularity of the Gin & Tonic likely inspired the simple swap of gin for amaro, creating a uniquely Italian take on the classic highball that has become a staple in bars across Italy and among amaro enthusiasts worldwide.
Origin
The drink originated in Italy, likely in the latter half of the 20th century as tonic water became more widely available and popular. It doesn't have a single inventor but rather grew organically from the country's established aperitivo traditions. It embodies a modern, simple approach to enjoying classic Italian liqueurs.

Amaro & Tonic

Known in its native Italy as "Amaro e Tonica," this drink's name is straightforward, translating directly to Amaro & Tonic. It is sometimes shortened to "Amaro Tonic" in English-speaking regions. The name perfectly describes its two core components.
Original name
Amaro e Tonica
Alternative name
Amaro Tonic

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a complex aroma of herbs and citrus, with a refreshingly bittersweet flavor profile. The bubbly texture from the tonic water keeps it light and crisp, leading to a clean, lingering herbal aftertaste.
Flavor
Herbal, bittersweet, citrusy, complex, refreshing
Aroma
Herbal, botanical, orange peel, gentian root
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Long, pleasantly bitter, herbal, clean
Fizziness
Effervescent, bubbly
Color appearance
Amber, brown, reddish-brown, clear (depending on the amaro)
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round aperitif

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by a pleasant bitterness from both the amaro and tonic, balanced by a subtle sweetness and fruity notes. It is a highly carbonated, low-alcohol drink with a light body.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This simple highball requires just two main ingredients: your choice of amaro and a quality tonic water. A citrus wedge for garnish is essential to brighten the flavors.
  • Amaro60 ml / 2 oz
    The choice of amaro defines the drink. Amaro Montenegro or Amaro Nonino are great starting points for a lighter, more floral profile. Averna or Ramazzotti provide a richer, deeper flavor.
  • Tonic Water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Use a good quality tonic water, such as Fever-Tree or Fentimans. A neutral or Mediterranean-style tonic works best to not overpower the amaro.
  • Orange or Lemon Wedge1
    An orange wedge complements sweeter, richer amari like Averna, while a lemon wedge pairs well with lighter, more citrus-forward amari like Montenegro.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed; the drink is built directly in the serving glass. A bar spoon can be used for a very gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Bar spoon (optional, for a gentle stir)

Instructions

Preparation is incredibly simple: build the drink directly in an ice-filled highball glass by pouring the amaro, topping with tonic, and adding a citrus garnish. A gentle stir is all that's needed to mix.
1. Fill a highball glass completely with ice cubes.
2. Pour in the amaro of your choice.
3. Top with chilled tonic water, pouring it gently to preserve carbonation.
4. Give the drink a very gentle stir to combine.
5. Garnish with a fresh orange or lemon wedge.

Garnishing

A simple citrus wedge is the perfect garnish, adding a bright aromatic note and a touch of acidity. Squeezing the wedge into the drink before dropping it in is optional but recommended.
  • Place an orange or lemon wedge directly into the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten, and is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians (though it's always wise to check the specific amaro brand). It is alcoholic but typically caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The drink's caloric and sugar content comes primarily from the amaro and the tonic water. It is a relatively light cocktail, but using a low-sugar tonic can further reduce the overall sugar content.
Calories
Averagely 150-190 kcal / 628-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfectly suited for "aperitivo hour," serving as a light and refreshing precursor to dinner. Its cooling nature makes it ideal for warm summer afternoons and casual outdoor gatherings. It is a versatile choice for any occasion that calls for a simple yet elegant low-alcohol beverage.
  • Aperitivo Hour
  • Summer Afternoon
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Casual Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet profile of the Amaro & Tonic pairs wonderfully with salty and savory snacks, which are staples of the Italian aperitivo tradition. Think green olives, salted nuts, cured meats, and aged hard cheeses. The bitterness of the drink cuts through the richness of these foods, cleansing the palate and preparing it for the meal to come.
  • Salty Snacks
  • Green Olives
  • Cured Meats (Prosciutto, Salami)
  • Hard Cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
  • Potato Chips

The Amaro & Tonic: A Simple Taste of Italian Aperitivo

The Amaro & Tonic is the epitome of effortless Italian style in a glass. It's a simple, two-ingredient highball that offers a surprising depth of flavor, ranging from herbal and floral to rich and bitter depending on the amaro used. This drink serves as a fantastic aperitif, perfectly balancing bitterness and effervescence to awaken the palate. Its refreshing nature and low alcohol content make it an ideal choice for a sunny afternoon or a sophisticated, easy-to-make pre-dinner cocktail.

Similar Cocktails

Gin and Tonic

Uses gin as the base spirit, resulting in a more juniper-forward, botanical flavor profile instead of the herbal bitterness of amaro.

Suze & Tonic

Uses Suze, a French gentian liqueur, instead of an Italian amaro. This provides a distinct earthy, floral, and intensely bitter flavor.

Americano

Also an Italian aperitivo, but it uses Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water instead of a single amaro and tonic, resulting in a different flavor profile.

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