Italicus is a bergamot liqueur from Italy, and it is one of my favorite spirits of all time. Its name means “Italian” in Latin, and founder Giuseppe Gallo set out to bottle the whole country in one liqueur.
I found out for myself over an Italicus Spritz, sitting down with Giuseppe to talk through how he did it, and I am convinced he pulled it off. You can listen to our full conversation here.
What Is Italicus?
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is a bergamot liqueur, and bergamot is the star. It is a small, green, bitter citrus fruit grown in Calabria. Perfume makers adore it (its oil is in hundreds of fragrances), yet it is rarely used in spirits. Giuseppe saw the chance to introduce it to the drinking world, and I am so glad he did.
Italicus also uses cedro, a Sicilian citron that is just as Italian and just as unusual. Add Roman chamomile from Lazio, lavender, gentian, yellow roses, and lemon balm from Northern Italy, and you have all seven botanicals.
What Is Rosolio?
Long before vermouth took over Turin, there was rosolio. Italians have been making and sipping it for centuries. The name comes from the Latin ros solis, often translated as dew of the sun. Giuseppe describes it as morning dew, a lovely nod to gathering herbs and flowers first thing in the morning, when their flavors are at their brightest.
Every region made its own version, and Piemonte was known for rose. Rosolio was a favorite of the Medici, of the ruling classes, and most of all of the King of Savoy and his courtiers.
Then, in the late 1700s, King Vittorio Amedeo III fell for vermouth, and the story goes that he banned rosolio from the royal household. The category faded away.
Centuries later, while Giuseppe was Global Brand Ambassador for Martini, he kept coming across the word rosolio, and reviving this very Italian category became his mission. In 2016 he launched Italicus at the Savoy in London.
How does Italicus taste
Bright, floral, and so easy to love. It is citrusy and lightly sweet, with a whisper of herbal bitterness, and at 20% ABV it is gentle enough to sip before dinner. If you have tried limoncello, think of a cousin with more perfume: the same sunny citrus, with rose, lavender, and chamomile layered in.
- Color: Clear with a slight yellow hue
- Nose: Light citrus, with floral notes of rose and lavender
- Taste: A sophisticated blend of citrus fruits with a hint of spice, very clean and clear
- Finish: A lingering hint of spice and floral notes
- Alcohol: 20% ABV (70cl in the UK, 750ml in the US)
How to Drink Italicus
Giuseppe advises keeping Italicus in the fridge, so it is always ready to pour. You can sip it neat over a single ice cube any time, but it truly shines in cocktails, and yes, even in beer. My favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Italicus Spritz: Italicus, Prosecco, and soda. The easiest way in, and the very drink Giuseppe and I shared.
- Sgroppino: The Venetian treat of Prosecco and lemon sorbet, with Italicus. It is also how I met Italicus in the first place.
- IPAlicus: Italicus and IPA beer, made by Luca Missaglia. Low in alcohol and full of surprises.
- Savoia Americano Garibaldini: A fun, fizzy stir with a splash of Italicus.
Why Lush Life Loves It
I first tasted Italicus in a Sgroppino at Swift in London, and I was smitten by the very first sip. I have been going to Venice since I was a little girl, and I had never seen a Sgroppino anywhere else, so finding Italicus inside one felt like two of my favorite worlds meeting. Light, floral, and friendly to almost anything you mix it with, it is the bottle I reach for when I want everyone at the table to be happy.
Where to Buy Italicus
That aquamarine bottle looks gorgeous on a bar cart and makes a lovely gift, too.
FAQ
What does Italicus mean? Italicus is Latin for “Italian,” which is exactly what Giuseppe wanted the brand to celebrate.
Is Italicus a gin? No. It is a liqueur, specifically a bergamot rosolio, which is a style of Italian aperitivo.
Is Italicus like limoncello? They share bright citrus, but Italicus puts bergamot at the center instead of lemon and leans floral and herbal. It is also typically lighter in alcohol.
Does Italicus need to be refrigerated? Giuseppe advises keeping it in the fridge, and I love it well chilled.
What do you drink Italicus with? Prosecco is the classic partner. It also pairs beautifully with tonic, soda, white spirits, and even beer.
Can you buy Italicus in the US? Yes! Many US liquor retailers stock it, and you can order it online, too.
