Meet Cultivaro Amaro: Arizona Desert in an Italian Spirit

The team behind Suncliffe Gin launched Cultivaro Amaro, which draws from Arizona’s rich biodiversity and growing cocktail culture.

A Spirit Rooted in Arizona

Suncliffe Spirits created Cultivaro Amaro to celebrate Arizona’s wild and cultivated flavors. Founders Ryan Lawrence, Thomas Giddings, and Clare Byrne found inspiration on Sedona trails, where native juniper sparked the concept for their first product, Suncliffe Gin.

Now, with Cultivaro Amaro, they bring an Arizona take to the classic Italian liqueur. The spirit has already made its way into Tucson bars.

“We love Suncliffe Spirits for their distinctly Arizona character, crafted with botanicals that reflect the region’s diverse landscape,” said Marissa Gatta, spirits director for Westbound and Tap & Bottle. “Cultivaro Amaro puts a bold spin on a classic Italian liqueur, and we’re thrilled to feature it — both on our shelves and in your glass.”

Botanical Balance and Bittersweet Beauty

Cultivaro’s ingredient list includes roasted pecans, ponderosa pine bark, desert dates, citrus, and Arizona-grown nopales for a balanced and earthy bittersweet spirit.

“Cultivaro was immediately a house favorite at Juniper,” said Elliott Morse, general manager of Juniper. “It’s bold but also balanced with beautiful citrus notes that trail into herbal after-tones. To me, it captures the feeling of Arizona comprehensively.”

Where to Drink It, and Where to Buy

You can sip Cultivaro at the bars of Locale, the Century Room, Sidecar, Kingfisher Bar & Grill, and the Coronet.

“Cultivaro Amaro feels right at home here — its bright, herbaceous notes play beautifully with the Italian flavors we love,” said Deborah Tenino, owner of Locale. “We’re pouring it into a refreshing spritz that’s perfect for sipping on sunny afternoons under the palm trees.”

Locale now hosts Bocce Bar starting at 4 p.m. on Sundays; guests can play on the bocce courts and order Suncliffe drinks from the patio bar.

Bottles are also available for purchase at Westbound, Tap & Bottle, Roy’s Corner Liquor, and Rum Runner.

“If you haven’t embarked on your amaro journey yet, Cultivaro is the ideal starting point,” said Raymond Hammons, lead bartender at Sidecar. “It is a fresh gem in the desert.”

For more information, visit cultivaroamaro.com.