I am sure some Negroni purists will be reaching for a vomit bag when they see this, but give me a second, this really works, but only with these exact ingredients.

It all started when a friend brought me this fabulous Amaro from Sicily, Amaro dell’Etna, by Agrósan.

It has beautiful clean and vibrant flavors that remind me of authentic root beer. I just had to try it. 

I used 2 oz Saranac root beer, 2 oz Cinzano 1757 Vermouth (their high end stuff that I will be reviewing soon) and 1 1/3 oz of Amaro dell’Etna. 

Really delicious over ice. 

Now do note that it is all in the ingredients, I would not try this with some crappy commercial root beer, made with high fructose corns syrup.  Nor can you skimp on the vermouth, lastly I don’t know that this would work with other amaro.  

Hailing from the volcanic slopes of Sicily, Amaro dell’Etna is a historic amaro with a story as rich as its flavor. First crafted in 1901 by Giuseppe Calì Tabuso and now faithfully produced by Agrósan, this liqueur is a true expression of its unique terroir.

Its secret recipe features over 26 herbs and botanicals foraged from the fertile soil of Mount Etna, with Sicilian blood orange and bitter orange peel taking center stage. The result is a beautifully balanced, bittersweet profile that opens with bright citrus and evolves into a distinctive smoky, mineral finish, making it a perfect digestif or a complex and intriguing addition to any cocktail.

It can be found at retailers like Total Wine & More, Binny’s Beverage Depot, Astor Wines & Spirits, and Caskers, among others, frequently carry it. You should be able to find it either by visiting a well-stocked local liquor store or by ordering it online

Yes, Mount Etna erupted violently on Monday, June 2, 2025, sending thick plumes of ash and smoke into the sky and causing pyroclastic flows down its slopes. Tourists and trekkers on the volcano were evacuated to safety, but no injuries or fatalities were reported. The eruption stopped about ten hours after it began, with authorities reporting that the pyroclastic flow did not cross the edge of the Valle del Leone, the area most at risk.