each year by the hundred-plus producers across the country.
Sambuca, have in common? They are all Mediterranean liqueurs based on the essential oil of distilled star anise. And all are able to be “louched” – they turn cloudy when water is added, and the oils are released.
Many Italians serve young grappa straight from the freezer, but serve riserva at a cool room temperature, around 17º C. Try Poli Sarpa Grappa This young grappa is distilled from the fermented pomace (or “sarpa”) of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot grapes, which gives a herbal aroma that translates to honey and dark fruits on the palate. CSPC +377440 700 mL $53-$58
Limoncello
Almost every Italian family has their own limoncello recipe of lemon peel, alcohol, and sugar, some passed down for generations, although the name only became a registered trademark 30 years ago.
Almost every Italian family has their own limoncello recipe of lemon peel, alcohol, and sugar
Sambuca is uniquely Italian, and regularly served with three coffee beans floating on top, reputedly to represent happiness, prosperity, and good health, (or “con la mosca” – with a fly – just one coffee bean). You’ll often see the coffee beans set on fire to toast them, which looks very impressive!
preservatives, and using twice as many lemons as standard. CSPC +740112 $40
Sambuca What do Pastis, Anisette, Ouzo, Arak, Raki, Absinthe, Galliano, and
Try Luxardo Sambuca dei Cesari Luxardo make a range of sambucas including raspberry, spiced apple, passione nera (black), and sambuca cream (which is a wonderful addition to the mascarpone in your tiramisu, or in your coffee instead of sugar). Sambuca dei Cesari is intensely liquorice, sweet and strong, and velvety smooth. CSPC + 40196 $26
A True Classic. Redefined. A nod to the past, with a tip of the hat to today.
The gnarly-skinned lemons along the Amalfi coast around Ravello, Capri, and Sorrento, are particularly prized, and are now a strictly controlled, protected geographical indication (IGP). Served your limoncello well chilled, even straight from the freezer, as a palate cleanser or refreshing after dinner drink. Try Profumi della Costiera Limoncello Costiera Limoncello is the pucker stuff, a clean and pure liqueur made from only the peel of lemons from around the town of Ravello, with no additives or
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Meet Wei. Pasta Maker, 30 years.