From Sparrow’s amaro list, Amaro Nonino is one of the most distinctive Italian amari we pour, a rich and complex sipper that lands more sweet than bitter ($15 by the pour, or $22.50 for a larger pour).
About Amaro Nonino
The Nonino family has been distilling in Friuli, in northeastern Italy, since 1897, and they are best known for elevating grappa into a fine spirit. This amaro is rare in that it uses grappa as its base rather than the neutral spirit most amari rely on. The modern Quintessentia bottling builds on a recipe the family has refined over generations, layering a variety of alpine herbs and spices over that grape-based foundation. The result is an amaro with a smoothness and depth that sets it apart from the bittersweet pack, which is why bartenders and amaro lovers seek it out.
Tasting Notes
Wildly complex and leaning sweet rather than bitter, Amaro Nonino shows warm notes of dried fruit, caramel, and gentle baking spice, with the herbal lift you expect from an alpine amaro. The grappa base gives it a soft, rounded body and a long, mellow finish that makes it an easy after-dinner pour.
What to Pair It With
Amaro is built for the start or the close of a meal. Enjoy Amaro Nonino as a digestivo after dinner, neat or over a large cube, or alongside something sweet from the Sparrow menu like the Truffle Deviled Eggs to open the evening. It is a natural fit for a quiet nightcap in our 21+ lounge after a Wagyu steak. Stop by during our daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM for a relaxed start to the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amaro Nonino made from?
Amaro Nonino is an Italian amaro from the Nonino family in Friuli that uses a grappa, or grape-based, distillate as its base, infused with alpine herbs and spices. It is known for being more sweet than bitter.
How much is a pour of Amaro Nonino at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, Amaro Nonino is $15 by the pour, or $22.50 for a larger pour.
What is the best way to drink Amaro Nonino?
Amaro Nonino is at its best as an after-dinner digestivo, served neat or over a single large ice cube so its grappa base and notes of dried fruit, caramel, and baking spice open up slowly. Because it leans sweet rather than bitter, it also makes an approachable introduction to amaro.
Where can I drink Amaro Nonino near Seattle?
Sparrow pours Amaro Nonino in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, on the Eastside just across Lake Washington from Seattle. Sip it as a nightcap in our 21+ lounge, or reserve a table for dinner.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Braulio Amaro and the Brucato Orchards. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come sip it.