Margerum Amaro is a distinctive American take on the traditional Italian herbal liqueur, crafted in small batches by Doug Margerum at Margerum Wine Company in Santa Barbara, California. This 375ml half-bottle is sold as a case of 12. The amaro is built on a brandy base fortified with Sangiovese wine, then infused with a carefully curated blend of California-sourced botanicals including sage, thyme, marjoram, parsley, lemon verbena, rosemary, mint, wormwood, dried orange peel, and bark from red oak and other trees.

Sweetness is drawn from caramelized simple syrup and a touch of honey, providing balance to the characteristic bitterness of the herbal blend. Margerum Amaro employs a 12-year Solera aging method and is aged outdoors, where extended sun exposure integrates the complex botanical and woody notes. The finished spirit is bottled at 23% ABV with a layered flavor profile of bittersweet herbs, citrus, brown sugar, vanilla bean, and a long, warming finish.

An excellent digestif enjoyed neat or over ice after dinner, it also adds depth and a distinctly Californian character to cocktails such as the Manhattan or Negroni variations.