The Amália: Portuguese Negroni Variation
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The Amália is a Portuguese Negroni variation that’s sweet, smooth and satisfying. Learn how to craft the refreshing cocktail in just a few minutes.
Inspired by a recent trip to Italy, we created the Amália cocktail in Lisbon using ingredients in our liquor cabinet. Two of those ingredients have Portuguese roots, while the third hails from Italy.
After serving the cocktail creation to friends, we decided to share this cocktail with the world. Its flavors are complex, balanced and tastefully sweet, and its recipe is easy. In our humble opinion, this cocktail challenges its cousins – the Campari Negroni and Aperol Spritz – for aperitivo supremacy.
What Is the Amália Cocktail?
The Amália is a Negroni variation that’s crafted with Per Se (an orange Portuguese spirit), dry Portuguese gin and sweet red vermouth using a 1:1:1 ratio. While its recipe and appearance somewhat mirror Italy’s Negroni, the Amália is lighter and sweeter than the original.
Pro Tip
Pair the Amália with a pastel de nata pastry. The combination is a match made in Portuguese heaven.
Who Was Amália and Why Did We Name a Cocktail After Her?
Amália Rodrigues was a Portuguese fado singer and actress who achieved international fame in the latter half of the 20th century. She chose to live in Lisbon for the majority of her lifetime, which spanned from 1920 to 1999. Decades after her death, the soulful singer, noted for her dark, smoky contralto, retains the title of Portugal’s best-selling recording artist.
If you’re not already familiar with Amália, think of her as a Portuguese contemporary of Edith Piaf or Marlene Dietrich. You can learn her story by visiting the Casa-Museu Amália Rodrigues in Lisbon’s São Bento neighborhood. The museum, located in the multi-story house where the singer lived, showcases many of Amália’s personal belongings including costumes, jewelry and art. During the summer months, you can also attend a fado concert in the museum’s outdoor garden.
Would Amália Rodrigues enjoy the Amália cocktail? We think she would. After all, Amália brought deep emotion to her singing. Plus, her life was filled with dramatic highs and lows. Why wouldn’t she enjoy a tasty Portuguese aperitivo? This cocktail would have surely hit the spot and made her smile.
Ingredients
You need the following ingredients to craft an Amália cocktail at home.
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
Per Se is the ingredient that makes the Amália special. Orange in color and made with 24 different botanicals, it blends flavors like cardamom, orange, Jamaican pepper and Portuguese hops to create a Portuguese spirit that’s downright delightful.
With an ABV of just 14.5%, Per Se is produced by Portugal’s Casa Redondo. (The company also produces Licor Beirão, Amarguinha, FoxTale Gin and Aldeia Velha.) Procuring Per Se may be a challenge if you don’t live in Portugal. However, it’s a liquor that’s worth the extra effort to obtain.
How to Craft an Amália
The first step in this recipe is to measure equal amounts of the Per Se, dry gin and sweet vermouth. We use a Japanese jigger for this step since it ensures accurate measurements and minimizes spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Once measured, immediately pour each liquid into a lowball glass.
Gently stir the liquids with a bar spoon.
Carefully drop a jumbo ice cube into the glass.
Express the glass rim with an orange peel slice.
Drop the orange peel into the glass.
Sip the cocktail while dreaming about your next trip to Amália Rodrigues’ homeland – Portugal.
Variations
Don’t fret if you can’t find Per Se where you live. Instead, get creative with these or other variations:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Amália (Portuguese Negroni) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Per Se (Portuguese spirit)
- 1 ½ ounces gin (preferably Portuguese)
- 1 ½ ounces vermouth (sweet red)
- 1 ice cube (jumbo)
- 1 orange peel (garnish)
Instructions
- Pour Per Se, gin and vermouth into a lowball glass.
- Stir gently.
- Drop a jumbo ice cube into the glass.
- Express an orange peel by twisting it over the glass and rubbing it along the rim.
- Drop the orange peel into the glass.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Amália is a Portuguese Negroni variation crafted with Per Se, Portuguese gin and sweet vermouth.
The Amália was invented in Lisbon in 2025.
Per Se (Portuguese liquor), Dry Gin (preferably Portuguese), Sweet Vermouth (red), an Ice Cube (large) and Orange Peel (garnish)
The Amália cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
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This article is delightful! The Amilia cocktail sounds amazing, and the history of Amalia Rodrigues is fascinating. The step-by-step instructions are clear, and Im excited to try making this at home. A great mix of culture and cocktails!