Italicus means ‘Italian’ in Latin, and as founder Giuseppe Gallo claims, it is the spirit brand that celebrates the entire country of Italy. My question is can you bottle the whole of Italy into one spirit?
After sitting down with Giuseppe, while sharing an Italicus Spritz, I am convinced the answer is yes. Italicus – Rosolio di Bergamotto embodies not just the food, culture, history, and art of Italy, but most of all, its passion.
What is Rosolio
Before all other Italian spirits, there was rosolio. For centuries, the Italians were making and drinking rosolio. The word comes from two Latin words – ros & olus – meaning morning dew. It was the local spirit made from what was harvested that morning, thus morning dew. In Tuscany, it was made from juniper berries, in Piemonte, roses, it changed region to region.
It was a favorite of the Medicis, all the ruling classes and, most importantly, the King of Savoia and his courtiers. It lost favor in the 19th C when King Vittorio Amedeo III fancied himself a white wine lover and switched to drinking Vermouth. He even went as far as banning rosolio from the Royal House.
During Giuseppe’s tenure as Global Brand Ambassador of Martini, he would often come across the word – rosolio – and it became his mission to revive this very Italian category of spirits.
What is Italicus – Rosolio di Bergamatto
Bergamotto, or bergamot in English, is a small green, bitter citrus fruit. A favorite of perfume makers, bergamot oil is used in hundreds of perfumes, but never in spirits. Giuseppe took this as an opportunity to introduce it to the drinking community.
Italicus is also made with cedro, another little used but equally Italian of citrus fruits. Add in Roman chamomile from Lazio, lavender, gentian, yellow roses and melissa balm from Northern Italy and you have Italicus.
How does Italicus taste
Giuseppe advises that Italicus should be kept in the fridge. Although you can definitely drink it neat with an ice cube at any time, Italicus works so well in cocktails and even beer.
- Color: Clear with a slight yellow hue
- Nose: Light citrus, with floral notes of rose and lavender
- Taste: a sophisticated combination of citrus fruits, plus a hint of spice, very clean & clear
- Finish: a lingering hint of the spice and floral notes
- Alcohol: 70cl – 20% ABV
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Where you can buy Italicus
Try one of these Italicus cocktails:
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