Italicus

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is a blend of bergamot peel, Cedro lemons, chamomile, lavender, gentian, yellow roses and lemon balm. An aromatic, slightly spicy liqueur that balances honeyed sweetness with root bitterness.

Italicus is the brainchild of Italian spirits expert Giuseppe Gallo, who has revived the rosolio aperitivo category by reproducing a recipe dating back to the 1800s. The production of Italicus – made in a family distillery in Moncalieri Torino – begins with bergamot from the UNESCO protected area in the Calabria region and citron from Sicily. These two ingredients undergo the sfumatura process – a traditional technique for extracting essential oils by hand – before being blended with Italian neutral grain alcohol. Then, Roman chamomile from Lazio, lavender, gentian, yellow rose and balm from northern Italy macerate together for several days before being added to the liquid. On the nose, Italicus presents notes of rose and lavender, while the palate offers fresh tones of ripe citrus, balanced by light bitterness and floral spices, before culminating in a long, complex finish. The Italicus bottle has been designed to pay tribute to Italy’s history and heritage, as well as to the indigenous flavors of the country’s 20 regions. The stopper depicts a Renaissance-style Bacchus harvesting bergamot, framed by the shape of a bergamot fruit, while the color of the glass recalls Capri’s Grotta Azzura and the waters of the Amalfi coast, where Gallo spent his childhood. Delicious on its own, Italicus also works well in a range of cocktails or with Prosecco on the rocks.