From Sparrow’s amaro and vermouth list, Meletti is a warm, saffron-tinged Italian amaro that makes a wonderful close to dinner, $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour, here in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood.
About Meletti
Amaro Meletti traces back to 1870 and Silvio Meletti, who set out to craft a local liqueur in Ascoli Piceno, in the Le Marche region on Italy’s Adriatic side. He developed a slow, gentle production method using a bain-marie still, drawing highly aromatic distillates from a secret blend of botanicals. Among the herbs and spices often associated with Meletti are anise, gentian, orange peel, cloves, and saffron grown in the nearby Sibillini mountains. The result is an amaro with a distinctive sense of place and a smooth, perfumed character, still made by the same family in the same town generations later.
Tasting Notes
Meletti leans toward the sweeter, more aromatic end of the amaro spectrum. Expect soft notes of anise and saffron alongside candied orange and warm spice, with a rounded body and a gently bitter finish that keeps it balanced rather than heavy. It is the kind of amaro that feels comforting rather than challenging.
What to Pair It With
Amaro is at its best as a digestivo. Sip Meletti neat or over a large cube after dinner, and let it follow a hearty plate from the Sparrow menu such as the Italian Sausage Fresh Rigatoni or the American Wagyu steaks. It is also lovely alongside an espresso. Our 21+ lounge with its quartzite bar is the perfect spot for a slow after-dinner pour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Meletti from?
Amaro Meletti is made in Ascoli Piceno in the Le Marche region of Italy, a recipe dating to 1870. It is known for an aromatic, saffron-touched style produced with a bain-marie still.
How much is a pour of Meletti at Sparrow in Kirkland?
Meletti is $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour, at Sparrow in Kirkland.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Amaro Montenegro and the Jelinek Fernet. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and finish your meal with one.