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The Lucky Lucano Cocktail – Italian Amaro

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Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Leah Hall

An Italian Amaro Cocktail, very herbal and light.

 

We recently had an evening to catch up with some friends and were sitting on the deck enjoying cocktails! We were trying to figure out how to make one of these evening happen in a far away location like Napa, when one of our friends mentioned they were taking a trip to Italy to celebrate a milestone anniversary. They asked what kind of cocktails they might run across while they are exploring Italy. While we knew they would run into classics like the Spritz or a Bellini and especially the Negroni. We also knew they would run across an amaro of some variety.

 

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Amaro Cocktail

We had just received in a bottle of Amaro Lucano to play with, and with our friends upcoming Italian adventure as inspiration, we came up with the Lucky Lucano.

The Lucky Lucano Cocktail with Amaro bottle and yellow container in background

What is an Amaro?

An amaro is a traditional Italian liqueur made from a mix of herbs, spices and botanical elements. They were usually concocted for medicinal purposes, but these days are used as a digestif and served as an after dinner libation. Amaro Lucano is one of the most iconic Italian amaro liqueurs. Theoriginal recipe created way back in 1894 by Cavalier Pasquale Vena, a pasty chef who owned a biscuit factory.

 

Working in the kitchen, Vena created a blend of more than 30 herbs, hot infusing them into a spirit to create a liqueur that is richly flavored with a balanced citrus flavor and floral highlights.

The Lucky Lucano Cocktail with Amaro bottle and yellow container in background

Amaro Lucano soon became a favorite sipping digestif and quickly spread across the Italian peninsula. The fine flavors attracted the attention of the Royal House of Savoy. Being chosen by the ruling family of the Kingdom of Italy was a massive stroke of luck for the Vena family and Amaro Lucano. This likewise allowed the liqueur to go from a small provincial liqueur to a liqueur that was in demand in all of the finest drinking establishments across Italy.

Italian Amaro

With that luck in mind, we decided to name our cocktail the Lucky Lucano!

The Lucky Lucano Cocktail with yellow container in background

What does Amaro Lucano Taste Like?

The nose of Amaro Lucano is has an aromatic scent like sandalwood, allspice, bitter herbs, and gentian root. The flavor of Amaro Lucano on the front is sweet, slightly like root beer with a bit of earthy bitterness. Then it becomes less bitter, with allspice and herbal notes. Bitterness comes back on the finish in an herbally way. There are also hints of citrus peel and caramel.

 

The Lucky Lucano combines Amaro Lucano, a robust bourbon and the juice of a ripe plum to make a bold boozy cocktail. It is sure to delight fans of classic old fashioned cocktails, as it’s pretty boozy. Amaro Lucano brings a bold slightly bitter flavor full of warm spice that pulls the sweetness of the plum and caramel flavors of the bourbon.

 

The dose of bourbon brings a strong boozy undertone that stands up to the boldly flavored Amaro Lucano.

 

A dash of fresh squeezed lemon adds a bright note that pulls the delicate citrus flavors that are a hallmark of Amaro Lucano. also. The fresh plum gives a sweet fruity freshness and brings along some of the rich flavors of late summer. And a splash of simple syrup helps with any tartness! We hope you will enjoy the Lucky Lucano!

 

Cheers!

 

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Other Amaro Cocktails

The Lucky Lucano, orange cocktail, orange and plum, flowers and amaro bottle behind
Yield: 1

The Lucky Lucano Cocktail - Italian Amaro

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

An Italian Amaro and bourbon based cocktail.

Ingredients

Lucky Lucano Cocktail

  • 1.50 ounces bourbon
  • 1 ounce Amaro Lucano
  • .50 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • .50 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 ripe plum
  • orange peel for garnish

Instructions

Cut the plum into sections.

Place into shaker and muddle until fully macerated.

Add ice to shaker.

Add bourbon, Amaro, lemon and simple syrup.

Shake until fully chilled.

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Garnish with an orange peel.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 16mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 23.5gProtein: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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Stacey

Saturday 28th of October 2023

This was awesome. I googled “cocktails with overripe plums” and it came up… & I had an unopened bottle of Lucano that I didn’t know what to do with - so even better😁

The Noms

Sunday 29th of October 2023

Stacey, Perfect!! We love to hear when we can help out! Hope you enjoyed it, cheers! Jay and Leah

Cathy Mini

Wednesday 28th of September 2016

Saving this to my happy hour cocktail bucket list!! Looks so good!

The 'Noms.

Thursday 29th of September 2016

Awesome! Cheers!

soniya Saluja

Monday 26th of September 2016

I am in love with this drink !! Cheers

The 'Noms.

Thursday 29th of September 2016

Thanks so much! Cheers!

morgan

Monday 26th of September 2016

Your cocktails always look so amazing! Would definitely try this one too!

www.liliesandlambs.com

The 'Noms.

Thursday 29th of September 2016

Thank you so much! We hope you do! Cheers!

Marlynn Jayme Schotland

Monday 26th of September 2016

I haven't had a cocktail with Amaro in a while and think it's time to try this one! Love the colors, and bourbon + plum + lemon sounds sooo refreshing right now.

The 'Noms.

Thursday 29th of September 2016

We thought this was a great flavor combo! Hope you try it out!

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