Our History
The secret recipe was crafted in the early nineteenth century by the Benedictine monks of Abbazia Di Santo Spirito. They produced a liqueur that told the unique aromas and flavors of the land through Mediterranean herbs and a typical contrast of sweet and bitter flavors.
The family tradition
In 1868, the recipe was gifted by the monk Frà Girolamo to the textile merchant Salvatore Averna as a token of gratitude for his commitment to the local community. He began producing it in his family farmhouse for guests in Xiboli. By the early 1900s, the recipe and business were passed to Salvatore’s son, Francesco Averna, who spread the word at fairs in Italy and abroad.
The royal household patent
It was during a visit to King Umberto I in 1895 that Francesco was gifted a golden brooch with the Savoy House emblem to mark the drink’s ever growing status in Italy. In 1912, Vittorio Emanuele III bestowed Averna the right to print the royal coat of arms with the inscription “Royal Household Patent” on its bottle.
Anna Maria Averna
The 1920s was a difficult period, but in between two wars, Averna came at the hands of a woman. Francesco’s wife, Anna Maria, took the reigns of the business, who, along with her children, Salvatore, Paolo, Emilio and Michele, continued to expand the brand, reaching the American market. In 1958, Averna became a corporation (Fratelli Averna S.p.A.).
Averna Today
In 1978, Averna became a leader in the Italian market and a constant presence in Italian households. By the 90s, it gained further worldwide recognition, reaching more distant markets, such as the USA. In 2014, Fratelli Averna S.p.A’s group was bought by Gruppo Campari, strengthening its global portfolio and consolidating its leadership status in the category.