Scarlet "Orange" Amaro (700ml)

Scarlet Orange Amaro is a vibrant Japanese blood orange liqueur produced by founder Tatsuya Motonaga at Iseya Distillery in Sagamihara. The project begins with blood oranges grown on a friend’s farm in Ehime Prefecture, one of Japan’s most celebrated citrus-growing regions. Motonaga and a team of 70 volunteers hand-press the freshly harvested fruit, immediately transferring the juice to stainless steel tanks to preserve its freshness. Meanwhile, the peels are joined by more than 25 botanicals, including lemon balm, bramble leaves, ginger and camellia flowers, and macerated in a neutral sugarcane spirit distilled specifically for the project. The resulting aromatized spirit is blended with the fresh blood orange juice and bottled immediately. Japanese beet sugar provides sweetness, while traditional cochineal lends Scarlet its distinctive natural color. The result is an exceptionally thoughtful marriage of locally grown Japanese citrus, careful hand processing and classic amaro production techniques. Bottled at 20% ABV, Scarlet Orange is a fascinating addition to Japan’s rapidly developing culture of artisanal liqueurs and an exceptionally versatile bottle for cocktails or simple service over ice.