Based on an 1850’s recipe for the ‘apreritivo di corte’ or drink of kings, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is a bergamot based apreritivo. Made in the ‘rosolio’ style (think semi-homemade and flavored with herbs), Italicus has been modernized to lean into bitter orange and floral notes. The bottle is appropriately attractive, and enticing with it’s blue glass. Is it worth adding a bottle to your shelf though?
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Sight: A straw gold, similar to a young chardonnay.
Smell: A perfumed nose leads off with a mix of floral tones ranging from lavender to roses. As the nose settles, the citrus notes present prominently giving off touches of lemon and orange. The nose of bergamot tea is prevalent throughout.
Sip: The start is sweet and rich on the palate, giving a tea like complexity off the start. The sweetness continues throughout, but is joined by a gradual citrus bitterness. The citrus exists somewhere between bergamot and lemon. Floral notes hint around the edges with rose and lily and a hint of lychee.
Savor: The finish is slightly bitter, but decidedly bergamot orange with hints of perfumed flowers.
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is delightfully smooth, sweet, and perfectly balanced in its hints of bitterness. The flavor of bergamot leads, but corresponding citrus complexity and floral notes add a beautiful element to this liqueur. The perfumed nature and nature balance lends it to an ice cube if you were so inclined, but Italicus works better in cocktails.
In Cocktails
Italicus is in the vein of creme de violette, you don’t need a lot of it to make an impact on a drink. We’ve found that a quarter ounce addition to a gin and tonic or classic drink can add a complexity that leaves you wanting more. Our favorite application of Italicus is with gin, but it also works particularly well with summer fruits like peaches.
Due to the lack of classic cocktails featuring Italicus – we do not have a testing drink.
In Review: Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is honestly delicious. If you’re starting your bar, we recommend you skip this one unless you know you love it. It is a great next choice for those looking to expand their liqueur select and who also enjoy creme de violette or St. Germain Elderflower liquor. Unlike creme de violette, you’ll actually find places to slip Italicus into your favorite drinks. While the price is in the mid-$30s to low $40s, a bottle should last you a while.