Between the countless classic Italian bottles and a crop of new-school expressions, the booming world of amaro shows no signs of slowing. Thankfully, the vast category offers equally vast options for mixing in cocktails. And while you can’t go wrong serving amaro neat as a digestivo, the ingredient’s rich, bittersweet and herbal complexity—from bracing fernet to subtly smoky Sfumato—make it a versatile, hardworking ingredient, whether it’s standing in for sweet vermouth in a Manhattan or forming the base of a low-proof Julep.
Without further ado, here are our favorite easy amaro cocktail recipes.