There are regions with a distinctive flavour. The Algarve is one of them. The south of Portugal, with its almond trees blossoming in January, its cliff-lined beaches, and its land and sea gastronomy, also boasts a liqueur tradition found nowhere else in the world. And at the heart of that tradition is Amarguinha.
To understand Amarguinha is to understand the Algarve. Its flavour is no accident; it’s a direct result of the land: the Algarve bitter almond, which blossoms earlier than any other in Europe, has an intense, dry aromatic profile that cannot be replicated elsewhere. In the Algarve, a meal doesn't end with coffee. It ends with a small, chilled glass of Amarguinha with lemon, extending the after-dinner conversation and bringing the meal to a close.
The bitter almond that makes it unique
Amarguinha is born from the aromatic profile of the Algarve bitter almond, a variety different from the sweet almond we usually consume. Its aromatic profile is more intense, more complex, and more persistent, deeply linked to the Algarve and the region's identity.
Amarguinha possesses that unmistakable aroma and character, making it instantly recognizable to anyone and making them realize it's unlike anything they've tasted before.
A traditional Algarve recipe born from blossoming almond trees and brought to life in the glass it's served in. Recommended with ice and lemon. The rest is tradition.
Over a century of remaining exactly the same
Amarguinha is produced following a traditional recipe that is over a hundred years old, using original and traditional processes. With an alcohol content of 20%, it presents a dry and intense flavour that lingers on the palate.
It is not as sweet as other almond liqueurs. It is more complex, more demanding, and precisely for that reason, more interesting. Freshness appears first, and bitterness arrives later, in a long finish, with hints of almond balanced by sweet notes.
In Algarve restaurants and bars, it is traditionally served at the end of the meal, well chilled, with ice, a few drops of lemon, and a fresh lemon slice. This is how it has always been drunk. And this is how it continues to be enjoyed today.
How it's drunk in the Algarve
The most classic way is also the simplest: very chilled, with two ice cubes and a fresh lemon slice. The lemon is not optional: it’s part of the tradition. Its acidity balances the bitterness of the almond in a way that works perfectly.
For those who want to go further, the Amarguinha Sour is the brand's signature cocktail: bitter almond, fresh lemon, egg white, and Angostura. And for those who prefer convenience, the Amarguinha Sour RTD already comes prepared in a can, ready to drink well chilled.
A flavour that stays with you after your trip
The Algarve has many ways of staying with you after a trip. And, for those who discover Amarguinha there, this is one of the flavours that linger in memory. Not because it’s the most spectacular, but because it is completely authentic.
A liqueur that doesn’t try to be like anything else, that doesn’t follow any trend, and that has been exactly the same for over a century.
The range currently includes Amarguinha Original, the Creme line, in three flavours - classic, chocolate with almonds, and almond and caramel tart - and the Amarguinha Sour RTD in a can. Each format is different, but all share that Algarve bitter almond base that unites them.
Also discover how to prepare the range's most famous cocktail at home: Amarguinha Sour - how to prepare the cocktail at home.
