In 2023, I embarked on my first cruise. I had just been through the most harrowing health crisis of my life - one that nearly put me in the ground (you know, in a permanent way). This cruise was my Mom’s gift to me, especially since my close call with my own mortality caused me to cancel trips to Cuba, Spain, and Montreal. It was a way to ease back into the wonderful world of travel.

It was a Viking Cruise on the Rhine River, snaking through Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. We had, of course, purchased the “silver package" which guaranteed us unlimited booze on board (an absolute must if you ever find yourself booking this kind of trip). As one does, I often found myself sitting at the bar, chatting with the bartender, as he and I were two of the youngest people on the entire ship.

We nerded out about mixology and different kinds of liqueurs and spirits. My affinity for Kentucky Bourbon came up quite frequently, as it tends to do. Sadly, their selection was pretty slim, as in Europe you’re more likely to find more ample varieties of Scotch or Irish whiskey.

At the end of most evenings, you could find my Mom and me enjoying one of her favorite cocktails: the Manhattan. But in reality, she prefers a Black Manhattan, which swaps sweet vermouth for a bitter amaro, usually Averna. The Black Manhattan is also my preferred version of the cocktail, not just because the color matches that of my soul, but because its more bitter nature serves as a better complement to the sweetness of a bourbon. I also find it does an excellent job holding up to the spice and spirit of a rye, and meshing better with the drier-oriented palates of most rye drinkers.

Unfortunately, the ship's otherwise well-stocked bar didn't have an appropriate facsimile for Averna. We made do with the OG until one afternoon, I found myself walking through Cologne, Germany, bopping into various liquor stores. I truly believe local liquor stores are more interesting than most museums. Plus, the whole place is essentially a gift shop where you can buy a souvenir that is actually useful.

And there it was, calling to me from the shelf with the irresistible price tag of €13: a big bottle of Averna. Now, sadly, you won’t find the herbal Sicilian liqueur for that banger of a price in the United States because of import duties and whatnot. After all, European products are just cheaper in Europe. But at about $35 per 750ml, it’s a staple your whiskey bar can absolutely not go without.

Credit: Averna Amaro Siciliano

Bottle in tow, I traipsed up the gangway, thrilled with my recent budget-friendly boozy acquisition. I gave the - of course still sealed and unopened - bottle to the bartenders and gave them the clearest instructions: make a Manhattan, but use the Averna instead of vermouth.

They quickly obliged and poured one for my mother and me. Then two of our new cruise friends joined us, were intrigued by the dark concoction, and ordered a pair for themselves. We had all just finished dinner, the sun was setting, and this cocktail was the perfect after-dinner treat. We decided to take our drinks to the patio on top of the boat and enjoy them as we watched the sun sink below the horizon, and the autumnal colors play across the calm river waters.

Our view as we knocked back Black Manhattans while cruising down the Rhine.

Next thing you know, half the boat is quaffing Black Manhattans on the upper deck as we floated down the Rhine. "Oh, what is that?" one passenger inquired. Then ran straight down to the bar to order a whole mess of them for her friends. It was the first night this many folks on the boat were actually being social together, chatting across groups and nationalities, clinking coupe glasses, and all thanks to the addition of a bitter little liqueur from Sicily, Averna.

I walked into the bar the next morning to enjoy my cappuccino, as I usually did. I always sat on the same barstool, making my social rounds, and on occasion, nursing a hangover with some hair of the dog. The bar manager walked in, clocked me immediately, and exclaimed, “Those damn Black Manhattans!” he was irritated because he had to clean up a lot of coupes that evening before. But boy did he sell a literal boatload of drinks.

“You’re welcome,” I quipped, as I tossed back the final sips of my coffee. The other bartender shot me a knowing wink. I had delivered these passengers not just a great memory and connections with new people they wouldn’t have forged before, but I gave them a new cocktail. Something they could easily take home and share with their friends. All they needed was a bottle of Averna.

Of course, you can make a Black Manhattan with another dark bitter Italian liqueur (aka amaro). However, for me, Averna just hits different. It’s the OG, and there’s a reason why. I find myself craving it from time to time, and if it isn’t Averna in the cocktail, that craving just isn’t sated until I have one made the “right way.”

It warms you on a cold winter's night, imparts that lightly bitter and spicy hug on a chilly autumnal evening, pairs perfectly with the bright air of a spring dusk, and even works well in the light breeze of a summer night. It works for any season and is truly one of my absolute favorite - and absurdly simple - cocktails to make for myself and share with friends, both old and new.

So let’s make one.

AVERNA BLACK MANHATTAN COCKTAIL

Credit: Averna Amaro Siciliano

AVERNA BLACK MANHATTAN INGREDIENTS

2 oz rye or bourbon (high rye recommended) of choice
1 oz Averna Amaro Siciliano
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 Luxardo cherry to garnish

AVERNA BLACK MANHATTAN PREPARATION

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. Fill with ice. Stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe or Nic and Nora glass.

Garnish with a Luxardo cherry. I usually pop mine right into the bottom of the glass so I get a sweet, cocktail-infused treat at the end.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Sweeten it: Stir in a little of the Luxardo cherry syrup.
Season it: Go half-and-half on Angostura and orange bitters (Regan's is my favorite).
Reverse it: Don't want it as boozy? Then swap the whiskey and Averna proportions.
Split it: Split your whiskey base by using 1oz rye and 1oz bourbon.
Reverse & Split it: Reverse it, and then use half Averna and half of another favorite amaro.

BOURBON & BANTER

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