🥃 Averna
Averna is a Sicilian amaro from Caltanissetta: an infusion of herbs, flowers and spices, 29% ABV. By legend the recipe dates from 1868; owned by Disaronno Group since 2026.
Averna is one of the best-known Italian amari: a bittersweet herbal drink from Caltanissetta in Sicily, 29% ABV, made as an infusion of herbs, dried flowers, spices and liquorice. 1868 is cited as the year the brand was born, and since May 2026 it has been owned by Disaronno Group, formerly known as Illva Saronno.
History. By legend, the recipe was given to Salvatore Averna by Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Santo Spirito in Caltanissetta. Difford's Guide and The Spirits Business give 1868, but the 2026 deal announcement says 1886, so the date is best presented as "by legend". Information about the recipe is limited: the producer keeps it secret, and the press mentions oils of Sicilian bitter orange and lemon and pomegranate peel.
Owners. The brand was long held by Campari Group. On 28 May 2026 Disaronno Group, formerly named Illva Saronno, completed the purchase of Averna together with the Zedda Piras brand. During a transition period bottling and blending remain at Campari's plant in Canale, and Campari still sells the brand in some countries.
Taste. Difford's Guide describes a dark chocolate colour with bronze glints, an aroma of cola, bitter orange and herbs, and a bittersweet taste with hints of cocoa, liquorice, gentian and rosemary.
Why this matters to you. "Amaro" is an Italian word, not a separate EU category: depending on the sugar, the drink is either a bitter (30) or a liqueur (33). EU law prohibits health claims on drinks above 1.2% ABV, so "good for digestion" is not a valid claim. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | 1868 by legend (Salvatore Averna, Caltanissetta); 1886 in one source |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I: bitter (30) or liqueur (33) depending on sugar; "amaro" on the label |
| EU category | 30 or 33 (a bitter drink or a liqueur; the label shows the exact category) |
| Raw material | infusion of herbs, dried flowers, spices and liquorice; secret recipe |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 29% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Averna → kind of → 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Italians
- Part of
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits
- Related to
- 📍 Sicily
- Similar and different
- 🍸 Liqueurs, 🥃 Campari, 🥃 Aperol, 🥃 Becherovka, 🥃 Jägermeister, 🥃 Zwack, 🥃 Zwack, 🥃 Nonino, 🥃 Amaro
Frequently asked questions
Does Averna aid digestion?
There is no such evidence. EU law prohibits health claims on drinks above 1.2% ABV, and the WHO stresses that no amount of alcohol is safe.
What ABV is Averna, and how is that shown in the UK and US?
29% ABV according to Difford's Guide, shown as ABV on the label. That is lower than most spirits, but it is still alcohol, so a driver should not drink it.
Who owns Averna now?
Since 28 May 2026, Disaronno Group (formerly Illva Saronno), which bought the brand from Campari Group together with Zedda Piras.
How do you serve an amaro in the US and UK?
Neat or chilled in a small tumbler, with or without ice, or as a base for bittersweet cocktails.
Which ingredients go into Averna?
An infusion of herbs, dried flowers, spices and liquorice; the producer does not disclose the exact recipe.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍸 Liqueurs — A liqueur is a sweetened, flavoured spirit: at least 15% ABV and usually at least 100 g/l of sugar under EU rules. “Cherry brandy” and “crème de…” on a label mean a liqueur.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Italians — The people of Italy; their cuisine rests on wine, olive oil and cheese, and in 2025 the country made 44.4 million hectolitres of wine, the most in the world.
- 🥃 Jägermeister — Jägermeister is a German herbal liqueur from Wolfenbüttel: 56 herbs, flowers, roots and fruits are steeped in alcohol, then the base ages for about a year in oak casks. The classic is 35% ABV (70 proof).
Similar
🥃 Campari · 🥃 Aperol · 🥃 Malört · 🥃 Gammel Dansk · 🥃 Zwack · 🥃 Cynar
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Averna Amaro Siciliano (Fratelli Averna; 29 %; infusion of herbs, dried flowers, spices, liquorice; 1868, San Spirito Abbey, Caltanissetta)
- The Spirits Business: Averna marks 150th anniversary with new amaro (06.2018; 1868, Benedictine monks, Caltanissetta)
- The Spirits Business: Disaronno Group completes Amaro Averna acquisition (closed 28.05.2026; seller Campari Group)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I (categories of spirit drinks)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)