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photo: Jon Whittle

Amaro Nonino
Experience level: Beginner
Alcohol: 70 proof; 35%
Taste: Sweet, with warm flavors and smooth texture. Hints of orange, caramel, licorice, and baking spices
Classic preparation: Served neat in a highball or shot glass

Aperol
Experience level: Beginner
Alcohol: 22 proof; 11%
Taste: Bittersweet, with orange and rhubarb notes
Classic preparation: Served with soda water in a tall glass over ice, or mix one part Aperol to three parts chilled prosecco in a champagne glass

Campari
Experience level: Intermediate
Alcohol: 41 proof; 20.5%
Taste: Bittersweet, with grapefruit and citrus peel top notes and subtle spices
Classic preparation: Served with soda water in a tall glass over ice

Chartreuse (Green)
Experience level: Advanced
Alcohol: 110 proof; 55%
Taste Dry, strong alcohol burn. Minty and spicy. Hints of rosemary, thyme, and anise
Classic preparation: Served in a rocks glass over ice

Fernet-Branca
Experience level: Advanced
Alcohol: 80 proof; 40%
Taste: Dry and bracing, aggressively flavored; hints of bitter chocolate, resin, and Listerine
Classic preparation: Served neat in a highball or shot glass; can be mixed with cola and served over ice, as the Argentines drink it, or taken as a shot followed by a ginger ale chaser, as is done in San Francisco

Jägermeister
Experience level: Beginner
Alcohol: 70 proof; 35%
Taste: Sweet and herbaceous; hints of licorice
Classic preparation: Served neat in a highball or shot glass, or, stateside, pounded as ice-cold shots

Ramazzotti Amaro
Experience level: Intermediate
Alcohol: 60 proof; 30%
Taste: Semisweet; clove, cardamom, and cinnamon notes
Classic preparation: Served neat in a highball or shot glass, or serve with soda water in a tall glass over ice

Underberg
Experience level: Advanced
Alcohol: 88 proof; 44%
Taste: Dry with severe alcohol burn; intense herbal flavors.
Classic preparation: Drunk from a 20 ml bottle at room temperature

Read more about it in Bitters Invasion: Europe's Legendary Alpine Liqueurs.