Drink of the Week: Akhenaten Amaro

February 20, 2026

Few pandemic projects are as elegant or enduring as Akhenaten Amaro. In 2020, when bars and restaurants restricted their hours, Ektoras Binikos, the co-founder of Harlem cocktail bar Sugar Monk and Imbibe 75 alum Bitter Monk, began creating and selling a line of bitters, eaux de liqueurs, and amari called Atheras Spirits. Immediately adopted by bartenders and bottle shops across New York City, Atheras’ range, including its award-winning Akhenaten Amaro, is now available nationwide.

Named for an Egyptian pharaoh, the amaro blends more than 40 spices, roots, dried fruits, resins, barks, and other botanicals. It’s rich with coriander, cedar, cloves, and eucalyptus notes, and strikes an appealing balance between spiced warmth and brisk bitterness. Sip it straight or pour it over a large ice cube with an orange peel to end an evening in style. $80, atherasspirits.com

Emily Saladino

Contributing Editor Emily Saladino is a New York-based journalist and recipe developer. Previously the managing editor of Wine Enthusiast and editor-in-chief of VinePair, her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Food Network, and many others. A former professional cook and bartender, she holds a Culinary Arts degree from The French Culinary Institute and Level II Certification from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She has a poorly behaved cattle dog named Arby.