As the popularity of Italian-style cocktails and amari continues to grow, now comes word that Sting—the superstar musician behind the Police as well as a legendary solo artist—and his wife Trudie Styler are among the backers of the new Amante 1530, launching today.
The couple, along with CEO Ana Rosenstein, Richard Kirshenbaum, and Barry Rosenstein, conceived the aperitivo brand at Il Palagio, the Tuscan estate long owned by the power couple, which dates back to 1530. The team enlisted an expanded group of founders, and brought on oenologist Riccardo Cotarella, who oversees Il Palagio's estate wines—including Message in a Bottle, for all you Police fans out there—to develop the recipe for Amante 1530. The result, according to a press release, is an amaro that "is light upon entry, but immediately unfolds across the palate with medium-bodied weigh and presence." It lists the aroma profiles as "candied orange, oolong tea, ginger, honeysuckle, and baked apples."
The amaro is being produced in Rome, Italy, and is now available at select retailers, bars, and restaurants in NYC, with California and Florida coming soon. It's listed at 15% ABV, crafted for sipping or mixing in a cocktail, and will retail for $34.99
Today's announcement has already generated buzz in the media for Amante 1530's connection to Sting and Trudie Styler, although a spokesperson notes that while they are invested in the brand, though it is not solely theirs.
A mention in the popular newsletter Snaxshot by Andrea Hernández says that “Sting’s alcohol brand debuts this week,” and notes, “Aperitivos are celebrities new ‘tequila’ everyone wants to launch one.” [sic]
Typically, A-list celebrities have gravitated towards tequila and pre-mixed tequila cocktails, with George Clooney (Casamigos), Kendall Jenner (818 Tequila), and Blake Lively (Betty Buzz Sparkling Tequila) among those with well-known bottles. Vodka (Channing Tatum’s Born and Bred), whiskey (Drake’s Virginia Black), and gin (Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation) are also celeb-attracting spirits.
But amaro?
There isn’t much evidence to suggest that celebrities are about to flood the amaro market, although Jennifer Lopez recently launched Delola, a line of bottled cocktails “inspired by the Italian coast,” according to Food & Wine.
Amante 1530 has a freshly minted Instagram page, and there's more information as well as cocktail recipes at amante1530.com.
