What is See The Elephant Amaro?

See the Elephant is a true Italian made amaro produced with arugula as its lead botanical. See the Elephant is produced in southern Italy on the Cilento Coast where arugula grows abundantly. The arugula in See the Elephant is what creates the wonderfully delicious flavor profile ranging from tropical fruit, dark chocolate, root beer, pepper spice and of course the nostalgic fun flavor of bubblegum.

What is Amaro?

Amaro means bitter in Italian. Amari, plural for amaro, are a subcategory of bittersweet herbal liqueurs traditionally produced in Italy, but can now be produced anywhere in the world.

Is See the Elephant really made with arugula?

Yes! Amaro di Rucola translates to amaro made with arugula. See the Elephant is produced in southern Italy on the Cilento Coast where arugula grows abundantly. The Italian family that produces See the Elephant is a third generation operation that sources local arugula. The reason the family uses arugula is because that’s what grows locally. In fact, about 90% of the arugula consumed in Italy comes from nearby. The unique, wonderfully delicious flavor of See the Elephant comes primarily from the arugula.

How is See the Elephant Amaro made?

The family starts with a high proof neutral spirit distilled from sugar beet. The fresh arugula is macerated for 2 to 3 weeks in the neutral spirit, during that time the other botanical ingredients are added into the maceration and also taken out in a choreographed order of operations to ensure a consistently delicious flavor for See the Elephant. The other botanicals are a family secret. The amaro is then finished with a homemade caramel also from the sugar beet, which adds that richness and vanilla and caramel notes. There is no caramel color added. Ingredients are all natural. All of the ingredients that go into making See the Elephant are sourced from within 30kms of the production facility in Agropoli, Italy.

What does it taste like?

See the Elephant has a lovely soft subtle sweetness with balanced bitterness. Expect flavor notes of tropical fruit, root beer, cola, vanilla, caramel, bubblegum, dark chocolate, pepper spice and espresso beans. Finishes warm and smooth with a lingering complexity on your palate.

What is the ABV?

See The Elephant is 30% ABV or 60 proof.

Where is it made?

Produced in Agropoli, Italy, which is on the Cilento coast of southern Campania in southern Italy. Agropoli is about 1 hour south of Salerno Italy and the Amalfi coast. Cilento is home to the ancient city of Paestum, the region is where Buffalo mozzarella comes from and is the source of the Mediterranean diet. The region is known for their agricultural products and attention to high quality.

What does “See the Elephant” mean?

See The Elephant is an American idiom from the early-1800s, when crowds traveled to New York City to quite literally see the first elephant that was being shown in the United States. The phrase came to mean going out into the world to experience something firsthand. The phrase was popularized during westward expansion during the Oregon Trail and during the California gold rush. Today, going to “see the elephant” is a challenge to try something new, like an amaro made from arugula.

Who designed the artwork?

See The Elephant’s graphic design and label were created by Cody Gunningham. Cody is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work includes murals and public art, blending his fine art background with his design expertise to craft unique, impactful visuals. See the Elephant looks great on a back bar or home bar cart. Command a common joy.

What is up with the poem on the bottle?

On the side of the bottle you will read a poem inspired by English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley who was a romantic poet who wrote some of his most prolific works while living in Italy. This helps explain why See the Elephant has an English brand name, but is made in Italy.

What awards has it won?

Double Gold 96 Points at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, with a perfect score of 100/100 for mixability. Rated 4.5 stars by Simon Difford on the Difford’s Guide. Named one of the “Ten Essential New-School Amari” by spirits writer Brad Thomas Parsons.

What ingredients are used in See The Elephant Amaro, and why is arugula the star?

See The Elephant Amaro features arugula as its hero ingredient, which gives the amaro a unique tropical fruit, banana, bubblegum and dark chocolate bitterness flavor profile. The botanical blend including arugula is carefully macerated in neutral spirit distilled from sugar beet to extract bold yet balanced flavors. The family that produces See the Elephant Amaro uses all local ingredients sourced within 30km of Agropoli, Italy. Arugula grows locally and this is how the family has been producing the amaro for more than 70 years. It just so happens that the arugula produces these wildly amazing and delicious flavors when it macerates in the alcohol - banana, bubblegum and dark chocolate bitterness. Quintessential flavors of rucola style amari for a most distinct taste. This unexpected choice reflects the brand’s mission to reimagine Italian tradition with modern creativity.

How should I drink it?

See The Elephant Amaro can be enjoyed neat, or on the rocks as an after dinner digestivo. See the Elephant is also great as a cocktail ingredient, and has been rated the most mixable amaro for use in a wide range of cocktails with a perfect score of 100 on mixability from Bartender Spirits Awards 2024.

What cocktails can I make with it?

See The Elephant Amaro shines in cocktails like the Black Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Paper Plane, Negroni, Amaro Spritz, and Boulevardier. See the Elephant is an excellent substitute for Averna Amaro in a Black Manhattan or for Amaro Nonino in a Paper Plane. You can use See the Elephant in place of sweet vermouth for any cocktail for a delicious new modern twist. See the Elephant’s flavor also works well in coffee or espresso cocktails and in egg nog during the holidays.

Black Manhattan: Rye Whiskey, See the Elephant and Bitters

Nero Old Fashioned: Bourbon Whiskey, See the Elephant and Bitters

Elephant Negroni: Gin, sweet vermouth, and See The Elephant for a peppery twist.

Amaro Spritz: See The Elephant, Prosecco, and soda for a refreshing, bubbly aperitivo.

Paper Plane: Equal Parts - Bourbon, See The Elephant, Aperol and Lemon Juice.

Espresso Martini: Equal Parts - See the Elephant and Fresh Chilled Espresso

Can I use it instead of Averna, Nonino or Montenegro?

Yes, the rich complex flavor notes of See the Elephant make it a great substitute. It is a natural swap in a black manhattan, in the paper plane the sweetness and peppery finish make it a strong swap and is much less expensive than Nonino and makes a great M&M with mezcal in place of Montenegro.

Where can I buy See The Elephant Amaro in the United States?

See The Elephant Amaro is available in 29 states, specialty liquor stores, and online retailers. Use the online store locator at https://www.elephantamaro.com/see-the-elephant-amaro-store-locator-find-us to find bars, restaurants and liquor stores near you. For a full list of states where See the Elephant is distributed and our distributor partners check the list here. It’s also available for shipping through licensed online retailers and on our shop page for $44.99 per bottle.

Is See The Elephant gluten-free, vegan-friendly and nut free?

Yes, See The Elephant Amaro is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. See The Elephant contains no gluten-based ingredients and is produced without animal products or byproducts, making it suitable for both gluten-free and vegan lifestyles. See the Elephant does not contain nuts, but it is produced in a facility that also produces nut based liqueurs. As always, if you have severe allergies, please consult your healthcare provider.

What foods pair well with See The Elephant Amaro?

See The Elephant Amaro pairs beautifully with salty, rich, or grilled foods, as well as dark chocolate. The amaro’s bittersweet full bodied flavor and dessert like flavor notes cut through rich dishes like roasted meats, aged cheeses, and charcuterie. It also complements bitter greens like arugula, grilled vegetables, and seafood. For dessert, it pairs surprisingly well with dark chocolate or citrus-based pastries, offering a bittersweet balance.

Why do bartenders and mixologists choose See The Elephant Amaro over other brands?

Bartenders choose See The Elephant Amaro for its unique flavor, versatility, and standout presentation. Industry professionals appreciate See The Elephant’s distinctive arugula-driven profile, which adds fresh complexity to classic cocktails and inspires new creations. The bottle’s bold, art-forward design also makes it a visual statement on the backbar, sparking curiosity and conversation with guests.