Disaronno liqueur: review, history + 7 cocktail recipes
About the drink
Disaronno Originale - this is a famous Italian liqueur, which is famous for its unsurpassed almond nut flavor. It quickly managed to gain popularity all over the world thanks to its bitter and moderately tart taste, and this is its distinctive feature among other liqueurs.
The liqueur has a beautiful dark amber color and belongs to the Amaro class, as it contains almond and apricot kernels. They give the liqueur a flavor reminiscent of marzipan.
To produce this drink, sweet and bitter almonds are used, which are poured with grape syrup, vanilla and other aromatic herbs and roots are added. A quality grape brandy is used as an alcoholic base. The strength of the finished product does not exceed 28 degrees.
Despite the fact that fans of this drink still call it Amaretto, since 2001 this word has not been in the name.
The name "Amaretto" comes from the Italian word "amaro", which literally means "slightly bitter" and perfectly characterizes this drink.
The legend of Disaronno liqueur
Many different legends revolve around Disaronno liqueur. One of them says that Bernardo Luini was the most talented student of Leonardo da Vinci. In 1525, he was commissioned to paint a fresco depicting Maddona dei Miracoli.
As a true artist, Bernardo was looking for his muse. And then one day he met a girl, she was incredibly beautiful.
According to one version of the legend, she was a widow and as a sign of her faithful love, she presented her beloved with a gift in the form of a rich amber drink made from apricot kernels, grape brandy and spices, which later became known as Amaretto Disaronno.
And another version says that the girl was a fatal beauty and at the same time the owner of an inn, which was famous throughout the district in Saronne. And as a token of gratitude, she presented the novice master with this wonderful liqueur.
It's just a legend, but to maintain it for a long time, the label of the alcohol we are reviewing depicted a mysterious smiling stranger.
The history of the creation of Disaronne liqueur
In the XVII century, mass production of alcoholic beverages began in Italy, and many families were engaged in distilling. But only Giovanni Reina created a unique drink, the recipe of which was kept in the strictest confidence and passed down from generation to generation, and later went down in history as the creator of almond liqueur.
300 years later, one of Giovanni's descendants, Domenico Reina, opened a liquor store in the center of Saronne called "Domenico Reina Coloniali".
On July 23, 1947, a small shop was transformed into Industria, Lombarda, Liquori, Vini & Affini Saronno (abbreviated as I.L.L.V.A. Saronno), which specialized in wines in addition to liqueurs.
The company's products gained worldwide recognition in the late 60s and 90s, when they began to be exported abroad. Today it is known in 160 countries around the world.
Disaronno bottle and label
In addition to the taste, the hallmark of the liqueur is its square bottle, which was invented by masters from Venice.
But since this almond liqueur is simply shrouded in legends, there is another version of the bottle's creation. It shows that the best glassblowers who could be found on the island of Murano designed the bottle for Disaronno liqueur. Its unique shape is designed to allow you to tell what kind of drink you are pouring into your glass in complete darkness by touch.
The label of Disaronno Originale was last changed back in 2009.
Illva Saronno, together with famous Italian designers, has released a limited collection of bottles to support the initiative of the charity foundation "Fashion for development", under the auspices of the United Nations:
Disaronno Originale, Moschino Special Edition - the design of this bottle is made in the traditional Moschino black and red colors and part of the proceeds went to a special project in Africa.
Disaronno Originale, Roberto Cavalli Limited Edition - the bottle design is based on the 2015 collection by Roberto Cavalli, the main theme of which is exotic safaris.
Disaronno Originale, Versace Limited Edition - this collection was released in 2013. The main colors are white and blue with golden decorative elements, and part of the proceeds from its sale went to support women working in the fashion industry in developing countries.
Culture of consumption of Disaronno Originale
Dissarono is a classic digestif and should be served after a meal. It reveals all its flavors best when drunk neat, in small sips.
Nuts, fruit, chocolate or cheese can be served as snacks.
This strong almond liqueur also goes well with hot drinks such as tea, coffee and hot chocolate, filling them with nutty flavor.
Cocktails in which Disaronno plays an important role deserve special attention.
Burning Henry cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 15 ml
Jim Beam bourbon - 15 ml
Carolan cream liqueur - 15 ml
The method of preparation
Pour alcohol (almond liqueur, cream liqueur, bourbon) into a glass with a cocktail spoon in layers.
When serving, set it on fire and drink it quickly through a straw.
Burning Dr. Pepper cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 25 ml
Strong rum - 25 ml
Light beer - 200 ml
Method of preparation
Fill the highball with beer by 2/3.
Pour the liqueur into a stack and add rum on top with a cocktail spoon.
Set the contents of the stack on fire and pour into a glass of beer.
Blow Job cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 20 ml
Carolan cream liqueur - 20 ml
Whipped cream - 5 g
Ice - 200 ml
The method of preparation
Shake almond and cream liqueur with ice in a shaker.
Strain the contents of the shaker into a stack through a strainer.
When serving, garnish with whipped cream and drink hands-free.
Cocktail rosé with cherries
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 10 ml
Martini pink vermouth - 50 ml
Cherry juice - 140 ml
Cocktail cherries - 5 g
Ice - 180 g
Method of preparation
Fill the highball glass with lumpy ice.
Pour liqueur, vermouth and cherry juice into a prepared glass, stir with a cocktail spoon.
Garnish with a cherry and insert a straw when serving.
Fruit blazer cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 5 ml
Cinnamon liqueur - 20 ml
Southern Comfort liqueur - 20 ml
Apple - 20 g
Green grapes - 5 g
Orange zest
Method of preparation
Put a little orange zest, a chopped apple and one grape berry in a cognac glass.
Then pour all three liqueurs into the prepared glass and put it on a glass of rocks and light it on fire.
Swirl the cognac glass while the cocktail is burning.
After 30 seconds, pour the cocktail into the bottom glass and drink in one go.
Hot gold cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 50 ml
Orange juice - 150 ml
Lemon juice - from 1 quarter
Orange - 1 slice
Method of preparation
Mix liqueur, orange and lemon juice in a saucepan.
Put a saucepan on low heat and heat the liquid without boiling.
Pour the "hot gold" into a cup.
Garnish with an orange slice when serving.
Disaronno Mai Tai cocktail
Ingredients
Disaronno liqueur - 15 ml
White rum - 40 ml
Lime juice - 20 ml
Orange liqueur - 10 ml
Sugar syrup - 5 ml
Crushed ice
Orange peel spiral
The method of preparation
Mix all ingredients in a shaker.
Pour some crushed ice into the glass, pour the contents of the shaker and mix thoroughly.
When serving, add a little more ice and garnish with an orange peel.
Update: 02.11.2017
Category: Liqueurs and Tinctures