Bruto Americano

With a bracing dose of bitterness, a bright pop of citrus, and intriguing sylvan notes, Bruto is a bitter aperitivo liqueur with classic roots and fresh attitude.

The Spirit

We love classic Italian aperitivos, but felt we had something different to add to the conversation. By combining traditional bittering ingredients with a selection of botanicals that are endemic to California and others that have a valid reason to join the party, we created a modern American aperitivo with a distinctive point of view.

Inspired by Italian modernism, the label was a collaboration between master distiller Lance Winters, head distiller Dave Smith, and bartender/graphic designer Brandon Josie.

What’s in it?

A blend of herbs, roots, and botanicals give Bruto its distinctive signature. The bitterness comes primarily from gentian root; the citrus notes mostly from California-grown Seville orange; balsam fir and Cascara sagrada (bark from the California buckthorn) contribute woodsy notes. A number of other ingredients round out the profile. If you ever have a drink with Lance, he just might share the full list with you...

The Process

Some ingredients are hot-steeped, others are cold-infused. The resulting mixture is filtered and then colored in the traditional manner with cochineal to achieve a natural ruby red hue.

The Experience

Bruto Americano absolutely bursts with flavor. On the nose you’ll find vibrant citrus backed by cinnamon, sandalwood, and fir. On the palate, Bruto leads with bitter before opening up to an herbaceous mid-palate that gives way to a lingering bitter/citrus finish.

In cocktails, use Bruto anywhere you’d use an Italian red bitter (and in a few places you wouldn’t). Bruto shines in an Americano, where the simple recipe lets its unique botanicals showcase themselves. Try it in a Negroni or a Boulevardier, where it lends new nuance to these beloved classics. And if you’d like to taste how Bruto can inspire new cocktail recipes, put it through its paces in a drink like the Belle Fille.