The Coolest Liqueurs And Amari For Home Bars

Unique liqueurs, such as the ones crafted by Chicago’s Apologue Spirits, make great gifts for cocktail enthusiasts.

Apologue Spirits

Liqueurs and amari have always had an important place in drinking cultures. Whether they started as herbal tonics with medicinal purposes or as a way to preserve seasonal fruits and nuts, both spirit categories found their way into cocktail lore, and keep rising in popularity as modern mixology continues pushing boundaries.

Amari – the correct plural of amaro, Italian for bitter – are bittersweet herbal liqueurs enjoyed as pre-dinner (aperitif) or after-dinner (digestif) drinks. Made by infusing spirits with herbs, roots, spices, and other botanicals, they are traditionally served by themselves or mixed with soda, while sweet liqueurs, such as those made from fruits, are more often served as an after-dinner indulgence or used to flavor a cocktail.

Here are a few favorites that go beyond your average Triple Sec, which will make lovely seasonal gifts for your cocktail enthusiasts.

Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs

While tropical flavors are often associated with summer, Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs bring a welcome brightness to cocktails anytime. Crafted in the Dominican Republic with 100% fresh fruit and neutral cane spirit, Chinola’s shelf stable, farm-to-bottle liqueurs come in three flavors: passion fruit, mango, and pineapple. All are made without artificial additives, bottled at a low ABV. Chinola also supports environmental sustainability and community development in Samaná, Dominican Republic, through various initiatives.

These extraordinarily delicious liqueurs will add an unexpected twist to your favorite cocktails. Craft the perfect porn star martini, upgrade your margarita game or turn your Old Fashioned upside down with any of these sunshine kissed flavors, available online and in over 40 U.S. states and 12 international markets.

Apologue Fruit Liqueurs

This Chicago-based distillery blends fruits, roots, herbs and barks, including many native to the Midwest, to produce extraordinary liqueurs. The Certified B Corporation works directly with independent farmers and local growers to source non-GMO ingredients to craft their unusual, adventurous liqueurs.

Their line of versatile liqueurs includes Aronia, made with antioxidant rich aronia berries prized by Native Americans; Persimmon, combining American persimmons and warm spices like ginger, cinnamon and cardamom; and Paw Paw, an underutilized native fruit with tropical taste. Three flavors in a savorier spectrum complete the lineup: Saffron, Celery Root, and the recently released Carrot, made with locally grown Nichols Farm carrots, warm baking spices, and citrus peel. They are available in retail stores across the country and some online retailers that ship nationwide.

NUVO Sparkling Liqueur

Champagne’s historical know-how and modern technology come together to create this bright and effervescent liqueur. NUVO is the world’s first sparkling liqueur, crafted with ultra-premium French vodka, a touch of sparkling white wine and a proprietary blend of fruit nectars. It boasts aromas of tropical fruits, citrus, and floral notes, with a slightly sweet taste profile and a crisp bubbly finish.

NUVO is bottled at 15% ABV and contains 69 calories per serving. The elegant blush-pink bottle takes cues from luxury lipstick and designer fragrances, making it an attractive hostess gift or for that special lady on your list.

Pallini Italian Liqueurs

The Pallini Family has been crafting world-famous liqueurs in Rome since 1875 and are renowned for their limoncello, made from pesticide-free, hand-picked Sfusato lemons exclusively grown on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The liqueur develops a spicy, tangy, and refreshingly natural taste that’s perfect to enjoy in cocktails or by itself.

Aside from their famous flagship, Pallini also makes a Peachello from Emilia Romagna’s white peaches, and Raspicello with blueberries and black currants from the Abruzzi region. The company also developed the world’s first non-alcoholic Limoncello, Pallini Limonzero, winner of the prestigious Double Gold Medal at WSWA in 2024. It’s the perfect gift for those who prefer a little cocktail indulgence without the booze.

Violet Crown Spirits

This boutique Central Texas distillery is known for crafting the first Texas-made absinthe. But Violet Crown Spirits also makes lovely liqueurs with Texas-grown flowers like elderflower (which also includes elderflower berry juice for a beautiful garnet color) and jasmine, which has a delicate floral nose and sweet honeyed palate.

Their bitter cordials, such as Midnight Marigold, are superb as after dinner digestives on their own and make great cocktails and aperitifs. The newest in the lineup is Monk Parakeet, a twin to green Chartreuse that has enthusiasts of the French herbal liqueur excited. It is available to pre-order now, with a portion of the proceeds from the sales donated to Audubon Texas.

Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur

Made in the heart of the Cognac region, this delicious liqueur harnesses the intense flavor of Williams pears, combined with the delicate complexity of Cognac. It’s the flagship product of Maison Brillet, a storied vineyard that’s been in the Brillet family for 10 generations.

Made from 100% natural ingredients, the pears are harvested and distilled in the Anjou region to craft pear eaux-de-vie, which is blended with Cognac, water and Madagascar vanilla sugar. Each 700ml bottle of Belle de Brillet contains the equivalent of 18 pears. It is excellent enjoyed over ice or in a cocktail, whether as an aperitif or as a digestif.

Brucato Spirits Amari

Named after John Brucato, the founder of the San Francisco Farmers Market, Brucato Spirits crafts modern amari, liqueurs and spirits in the Mission District, using produce and botanicals grown or foraged in California. Northern California natives Sierra and James Clark started making small batch amari inspired in the traditional Italian aperitifs. Brucato Amari come in three distinct blends that speak to California’s varied ecosystems, invoking a sense of place.

Chaparral is flavored with spearmint, cardamom and yerba santa, a California native herb with a distinct bittersweet flavor. Orchards uses apricots, walnuts, Meyer lemon, orange and cinnamon, while Woodlands combines elderberry, cocoa nibs, black fig, and citrus for a woodsy bitterness. The amaro lover in your list would appreciate the gift set, featuring the three flagship amari in 375ml bottles. All are available for shipping via Brucato’s website or through select retail sites.

Oro y Fierro Kumquat Liqueur

Also crafted by Brucato and following the company’s ethos, Oro y Fierro is a kumquat liqueur made from California-grown Nagami kumquats and unaged brandy, distilled from locally grown grapes. Named after San Francisco’s city motto, Oro y Fierro (Spanish for gold and iron) is crafted to be used as you would any orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau, in your favorite cocktails.

Even more special, the spicy version of Oro y Fierro adds a touch of heat, with earthy notes and a bit of smokiness from chile de árbol and Calabrian chiles, making it the ideal addition to a spicy margarita, paloma or mezcalita.

Hoot + Howl Black Tea Liqueur

Hoot+Howl is an award-winning Colorado distillery that reimagines historical spirits and traditional distilling techniques. After double-distilling, their Black Tea Liqueur goes through tranchage, a rare, historical mellowing process that Hoot + Howl rediscovered from century-old distilling manuals. It is then infused with loose leaf black tea, bergamot peel and demerara sugar, invoking a perfectly brewed sweet tea.

The Black Tea Liqueur boasts deep, earthy tea notes with hints of citrus, caramel and honey. It is great enjoyed neat, over ice or mixed into a refreshing cocktail—mix it with lemonade for a spectacular boozy version of the Arnold Palmer. Find it on the Hoot+Howl website for nationwide shipping.

Bonus buy: Hoste Cocktails

Although not a liqueur or amaro, these premium craft cocktails are too perfect to pass up on a gift guide. Crafted by Apologue’s co-founder and award-winning bartender Robby Haynes in collaboration with other notable mixologists, these ready-to-gift cocktails will change your mind if you’re not a fan of RTDs. Plus, they come in a beautiful gift box with a tiny citrus zest atomizer, so all you need is a glass with ice. They look great on the table, perfect for a host or hostess gift! Choose from The Martini, Gold Fashioned, Mezcal Negroni and Perfect Manhattan, shipped directly to 46 states.