Strega liqueur: history, overview of taste and types + how to drink
Briefly about the drink
Strega (Strega) - the most mystical herbal liqueur from Italy. The name of the drink means "witch".
Its strength is 40%. The color of the drink has a dark yellow hue, the taste has sweet, velvety notes, and the smell is minty and cinnamon.
Today, this liquor is counterfeited. Strega Alberti has collected more than 400 copies from around the world.
What is mystical about this alcohol?
It all started in 1860, the year Giuseppe Alberetti moved to the town of Benevento and opened his own bar in the center of the town. This was the right decision, as the trade in delicious alcoholic beverages in Italy began to flourish during this period.
According to the stories of local residents, since the XIII century, witches from all over the world have been flocking to this small town and organizing a coven under a large walnut tree. And 2 thousand. witches brewed a secret potion from various herbs and scared the locals. But the couples who overcame their fears and drank the witch's potion remained together until the end of their days.
And then one day, when Giuseppe was walking around the city looking for herbs to create a new drink. He saw a witch crushed by the same walnut tree that had fallen and saved her. In return, she told him the secret recipe for Strega liqueur. The bar owner promised that he would never reveal this secret to anyone. And only when she died would she pass it on to one of her family members.
Who knows, maybe it was like that. But experts say that this is a good marketing ploy and there is a more plausible version of the creation of this drink. According to this version, the herbal infusion was developed by Benedictine monks. And constant improvements and new components introduced contributed to the birth of Strega liqueur.
Composition and features of Strega production
Despite the fact that the story of the witch is just a legend, it continues to be supported by relevant facts to this day. The recipe for the drink is kept in the strictest confidence, and even the factory employees do not know all its components, except for a few people. They see only numbered containers, and their only job is to measure the right amount of ingredients or grind something if necessary.
The only thing known for sure is that Strega liqueur is a mixture of 70 herbs and spices. And among them, only six components have been unraveled: Ceylon cinnamon, fennel, mint, Florentine iris, Apennine juniper and saffron.
The last ingredient plays a major role in the formation of the yellow hue of the drink. Juniper and mint stand out clearly in the aroma of the liqueur.
The secret of the perfect taste and aroma of Strega is the long maturation of the drink in oak barrels. Only after this stage is it bottled and sent to store shelves.
Types of Strega herbal liqueur
In addition to the classic liqueur, Strega Alberti produces two more drinks based on it:
Strega Riserva
The peculiarity of the drink is the longest aging in oak barrels. This gives the liqueur a delicate and mild flavor. And the premium quality is also expressed in a beautiful bottle and gift wrapping. The strength is 40%.
Strega Cream
It is a delicate creamy blend of herbs and spices that combines the world-famous herbal liqueur with fresh cream. The strength of the drink is 17%.
How to drink herbal liqueur
Such drinks in Italy are called "ammazzacaffè", which are served after coffee or food.
Despite the strength of the drink, it is still customary to serve it as a digestif after a main meal or coffee, accompanied by desserts and cookies. It is important to choose dry and low-fat treats.
The drink is drunk neat, both warm and chilled. It is also an excellent ingredient for cocktails.
All the secrets of the mystical liqueur have been revealed and you just have to taste it - it's a witch's potion.
Update: 15.02.2018
Category: Liqueurs and Tinctures