Brucato Amaro Amaro Chaparral Liqueur

Immerse yourself in the wild essence of California with Brucato Amaro Chaparral Liqueur. Crafted in San Francisco by founders Sierra and James Clark, this 92-proof (46% ABV) herbal liqueur draws inspiration from the rugged chaparral landscapes of California’s coastal foothills. Using a base of California-sourced neutral grape spirit, it’s infused with 20 botanicals, including yerba santa (a native herb with bittersweet, medicinal notes), spearmint, cardamom, anise, California bay leaf, tarragon, and clove, through a stepped maceration process. Non-chill filtered and sweetened with cane sugar after resting two months in stainless steel, it evokes the sagebrush and wildflower-strewn hills. Sip it neat as a digestif, mix with tonic for a refreshing highball, or use as a Chartreuse substitute in a Last Word cocktail.

Nose: Green tea, bay leaf, and spearmint lead, with grassy, floral notes and a touch of saffron. It’s a bright, earthy invitation.

Palate: Warm and herbaceous, with yellow herbs, cinnamon, and anise upfront. Cardamom blooms late, paired with a bittersweet yerba santa core and a sugary sweetness.

Finish: Long and minty, with lingering anise and eucalyptus, fading into a medicinal, herb-infused glow.

Pair this amaro with smoked trout—the herbs love the briny char. Want a bite? Try aged manchego; it lifts the minty notes. For dessert, a citrus sorbet echoes the nose’s freshness. Feeling bold? Grilled chicken with a sage rub ties the finish into a California feast.