Thanks to @cascode and @Richard-ModernDrinking , I’ve been getting deeper and deeper into this amaro rabbit role. Aside from that amazing Balcones stout finish whiskey I had last week, it’s been weeks since I’ve had any whiskey...been down this amaro highway full speed. So, this here is Bruto Americano, “ ugly American” in Italian. It’s made from several North American herbs and roots, and one very other interesting ingredient—-the cochineal bug. Yes, you read that right. The cochineal bug is what has traditionally been used to provide a reddish color. It thrives in the desert southwest on cactus plants, and is somewhat small and scaly in nature. And red. So, the beautiful red wine hue in this amaro is from naturally deriving from this insect. I’m honestly not grossed out by it...anyone that’s ever had coffee from grounds, or peanut butter, has a bit of FDA approved minimal crushed bugs in it anyway. So...having this neat is woody, herbal, bitter. Unlike the Italian amaro, where I simply added ice, this needs to be mixed with something else. Unless you like woody / herbal/ bitter, of course. I took a 1-to-1 combination of freshly squeezed orange juice, added this and topped it with ice. The sweetness is more now from the juice, but really well balanced with the woody bitter flavor. And the color—-wow—-red from the bugs mixed with orange...becomes almost like sunrise. At just about $25, Highly recommended—-especially if you experiment with some juices.
About this bottle
Bruto Americano is made by St. George Spirits in Alameda, California. Like many bitter liqueurs, the list of ingredients is a closely held secret, but is made from a variety of different herbs, roots, and other botanicals. Disclosed ingredients include: California-grown gentian root, Seville orange, balsam fir, and cascara sagrada (bark from California buckthorn). Cochineal bugs, a natural and historic method of dying materials, are used to color the liqueur prior to bottling. The name, Bruto Americano means "ugly American"--a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that an American is creating an Italian aperitivo.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 14 parsed reviews.
Softly bitter and mildly sweet, this is a very drinkable aperitivo. In some ways reminiscent of sweet vermouth married to a kraut liqueur, the flavor is expressive, highly herbal and well balanced. We’ve been enjoying a small glass before dinner, but also it is a great addition to your cocktail arsenal used in traditionally bracing cocktails such as the Negroni, Americano and Boulevardier. Another winner from St. George.
Lighter and a little less bitter than Campari (more like Contratto Bitter), with a crisp clean gentian and herbal flavor, and not over-sweetened. Beautiful dark rose color and medium body and mouthfeel. Use in place of Campari in cocktails where you want something softer but still with a gentian bite. 24% ABV. Innovative, that's what St George Spirits is--making quality products across the board.
Much more herbal and less bitter than Campari. Pretty good but changes the complexion of a Negroni too much for my personal taste. Haven’t tried it this way yet but bet it makes a great spritz
Gave it another shot, in a spritz this time, and it just doesn’t do it for me. Softly herbal. It’s not bad by any stretch but too subtle for an amaro/aperitivo on my palate.
Earthy, ginger-y. Veryy bitter, orange pith, pretty acidic. Ginger-esqe spice. So so bitter
8 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
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