Rediscovering Super Punch, Pittsburgh's special liqueur
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Millvale's Poetry Lounge always has a bottle of Super Punch ready. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Chicago has Malört, San Francisco has Fernet-Branca, and, yes, Pittsburgh also has a signature and uniquely celebrated shot: Jannamico Super Punch.
The intrigue: Pittsburgh is the only city in America where the distinctive Italian liqueur can be found regularly at select bars, thanks to Penn Hills-based D'Andrea Wine & Liquor.
- D'Andrea is the sole importer of Super Punch in the U.S., said owner John D'Andrea.
🥃 Dig in: Known just as Super Punch, the amaro is syrupy with a strong tutti-frutti flavor and subtle notes of warm spices.
- It is similar to Jägermeister — a German licorice-flavored liqueur — except Super Punch tastes fruitier and has higher alcohol content, said D'Andrea.
- It clocks in at 44% ABV, which is strong for an Italian amaro. Jägermeister is 35% ABV.
What they're saying: "Every time celebrity bartenders come through, they always want a bottle of Super Punch," said veteran mixologist and owner of Millvale's Poetry Lounge Sean Enright.
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🇮🇹 Catch up quick: It was first imported in the 1980s by D'Andrea's father, Joseph, who immigrated to Pittsburgh from Lanciano in Italy's Abruzzo region, where the Jannamico distillery is located.
- For years, it was popular with the local Italian American community and was served at weddings, red sauce joints and family gatherings, said D'Andrea.
- By the early 2010s, as craft cocktails gained popularity in Pittsburgh, it made its way onto shelves at trendy bars, said Enright.
- In 2024, it was taken off the shelves at state liquor stores as its popularity waned and sales dropped, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Pro tip: Mixing in a bit of salt to the pour brings out more of the fruit and spice notes and takes away some of the cloying sweetness, said Enright.
- D'Andrea said his favorite way to drink Super Punch is mixed 50/50 with espresso.
💭 Ryan's thought bubble: Super Punch is due for a local resurgence. Pittsburghers love to embrace things unique to the region, and it's our responsibility to make sure it's not lost.
- There are no hard and fast rules to enjoying Super Punch. I like sipping it alongside a lager like Iron City or Straub.
Zoom in: Staff members at Poetry Lounge (313 North Ave. in Millvale) are happy to guide you through your first Super Punch. It can also be found at:
- Moonlite Cafe, 530 Brookline Blvd. in Brookline
- Lorelei, 124 South Highland Ave. in East Liberty
- Grapperia, 3801 Butler St. in Lawrenceville
- The Warren Bar and Burrow, 245 7th St. in Downtown
- The Forge, 3345 Penn Ave. in Lawrenceville
- The Vandal, 4306 Butler St. in Lawrenceville
🧑💻 Plus: You can special-order it on the Fine Wine & Good Spirits website, and have it shipped to your nearest liquor store in Pennsylvania.
The bottom line: Enright acknowledged that Super Punch isn't as popular as it was 10 years ago but said his customers at Poetry Lounge love it.
- "It flies off the shelves here," he said. "I don't think it is going away anytime soon. It might ride a wave of new popularity."