This post is sponsored by Faccia Brutto Spirits in collaboration with Fabbri USA and Kings Country Distillery. Thank you Faccia Brutto Spirits, Fabbri and Kings Country Distillery for supporting Italian Kitchen Confessions and the creation of this amaro cocktail.
When autumn arrives and summer berries fade, we crave warmth, depth, and memory. The Fragola Amara Tardivo — literally “Late Strawberry” — captures that transition perfectly. It’s a seasonal amaro cocktail that fuses Faccia Brutto Aperitivo with corn whiskey and the lush sweetness of preserved strawberries by Fabbri.
This drink, thanks to the combination of these 3 ingredients layers complexity like falling leaves — a bittersweet reflection on the shift from summer’s brightness to autumn’s quiet glow.
THE AMARO TRADITION: BITTER, HERBAL, BEAUTIFUL
I could not be more excited to collaborate with Faccia Brutto Spirits for the creation of this amaro cocktail. Faccia Brutto is a Brooklyn distillery that produces natural and organic Italian spirits using old world method and carefully sourcing its raw material from sustainable botanical producers. The amaro tradition is very close to me as it lies at the heart of Italian drinking culture. From family-made digestifs to modern aperitivi, amari (plural of amaro) embody balance — sweet, herbal, spicy, and medicinal all at once. They were designed to stimulate appetite and settle the stomach, but also to capture the essence of herbs, roots, and citrus.
In this cocktail, Faccia Brutto Aperitivo bridges old and new. Inspired by Northern Italian recipes, it brings gentian, orange peel, hibiscus and rhubarb root to the forefront — bittersweet and aromatic. Paired with corn whiskey’s tones and sherry’s nuttiness, it turns the strawberry from summer candy to autumn nostalgia.
A NOTE ON KEY INGREDIENTS
Faccia Brutto Aperitivo: 17 fresh and dried organic botanicals are infused for two weeks, including gentian, kola nut, hibiscus, fresh orange peel, and rhubarb root in non-GMO neutral grain spirit. The result is an amaro with a distinct ruby hue. Phenomenal in a Negroni!
Fabbri 1905 Preserved Strawberries are an incredible addition to this cocktail. Fabbri is the excellence brand that I always bought for Amarena Cherries, it is synonym of tradition and craftsmanship. The company was born in 1905, and it has passed down its culinary tradition to now thee 5th generation, becoming well known all around the world for its syrups and confectionery. I used the syrup in the mix, and the plump strawberries as a guarnish.
Kings Country Moonshine: Kings County Distillery is New York City’s premier craft distillery based in Brooklyn. Moonshine most often refers to illegally-made spirit, but is also a term of art for distillate intended to be consumed neat. Kings Country Distillery Moonshine is a corn whiskey made from 80% New York State organic corn and 20% malted barley. It is perfect in this cocktail as it blends subtly with the notes of Faccia Brutto and the sweetness of the preserved strawberries syrup.
Amontillado Sherry: An Amontillado sherry is a dry, amber-colored fortified wine with a nutty flavor, original from Spain. Toasted nuts, dried fruit, and a hint of caramel blend with the notes of the rest of the ingredients without overpowering them.
Lemon Juice: to bring a bit of acidity.
Angostura Bitters and Orange Peel: to guarnish at the end.
FLAVOR PROFILE & TASTING NOTES OF THIS AMARO COCKTAIL
- Front: Warm strawberry and vanilla open softly.
- Mid-Palate: Herbal bitterness and sherry’s nutty tone intertwine.
- Finish: Gentle citrus and bitters provide balance and structure.
- Texture: Silky, rounded, and just bright enough to stay lively.
It’s a perfect fall cocktail — layered, elegant, and built for cool evenings.
TIPS FOR PERFECTION
- Balance Sweetness: If your sherry leans dry, adjust with a ¼ barspoon of syrup.
- Enhance Texture: Add a touch of aquafaba or egg white for silk without foam.
- Temperature Control: Use large ice cubes to maintain chill without dilution.
Equipment
- 1 shaker
Ingredients
- 5 fl oz whiskey Moonshine Kings Distillery
- 2 fl oz Faccia Brutto Aperitivo Amaro
- 1 fl oz Sherry Amontillado
- 1 fl oz Lemon juice fresh
- 2 fl oz Strawberry Syrup Fabbri Preserved Strawberries
- 10 unit ice cubes
To Guarnish
- 2 unit preserved strawberry Fabbri
- 1 peel orange
- 2 dashes Angostura bitter
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with cold, dense ice.
- Shake firmly for 8–10 seconds — chill and integrate without frothing.
- Doublestrain into your chilled glass.
GUARNISH
- Express a small orange peel over the surface and discard.
- Add a dash of angostura bitter.
- Skewer one Fabbri strawberry. Cin cin!
Nutrition
AMARO COCKTAIL SERVING SUGGESTIONS
The Fragola Amara Tardivo works beautifully as both:
- A pre-dinner aperitivo, whetting the appetite with gentle bitterness.
- A post-dinner sipper, mirroring dessert flavors with its sherry and fruit.
Pair with:
- Cheese boards (aged gouda, manchego, or parmesan) or Classic Italian Antipasto Platter
- Toasted nuts or almond biscotti
- Chocolate desserts with citrus notes
MORE ITALIAN COCKTAIL RECIPES FOR YOU
Negroni Sbagliato: made with Campari, Sweet Vermouth and Prosecco is a great fall drink. Robust enough with a bit of fizziness from the Prosecco.
Aperol Spritz: this drink comes from Veneto, where I am originally from. It is very deeply rooted in our culture. In Veneto, when we use to say “let’s go for a spritz”, we simply mean “let’s meet and have a drink”. This is the Spritz culture, which is more about sharing good moments than the drink itself.
Bellini : is the emblem of the classy Italian aperitive created in the 40s’ by Mr. Cipriani, founder of the famous Harry’s Bar in Venice. Peach and Prosecco make this cocktail great for brunches.
Passion Fruit Spritz: It is refreshing, fizzy and with a sweet-sour tropical taste that complements the Aperol. Last but not least, its bright color shouts summer, sun, energy and fun!Use Fabbri Syrup for the best results.
✨ This Late Strawberry Amaro Cocktail is a great fall seasonal recipe! I would love to connect with you through my recipe and I will be very appreciative of your comments! If you make this recipe make sure to tag me on Instagram @Italian_kitchen_confessions. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.✨
