Strega – Benevento’s Bewitching Italian Liqueur

A Classic Strega liqueur ad

Did you know that Benevento down in Italy's south was once the annual general meeting location for all the witches in the whole wide world?  Probably not, although this was once the case, or so the legend goes.  There must have been a few Harriet Potters at these annual witches meetups too, one … [Read more...]

A Walnut Drink – Nocino

A bottle of Nux Alpina Nocino

It's cold and snowy all over Italy at the moment.  Here in Milan it's freezing, so it must be absolutely gelid up in them there mountains.  To stave off the winter chill, those who are not nuts about winter weather might like to try an interesting little Italian tipple called Nocino.Nocino, if … [Read more...]

Interesting Italian Drinks – If You Can Find Them

You've been to Italy, either on vacation or on business and you've tried an interesting new drink here - and I'm not talking wine  - you even made a note of the name on your iPhone or Blackberry.  Maybe you photographed the bottle with your mobile phone camera.Let's say, for the sake of … [Read more...]

Caffe Shakerato Moments

Caffe Shakerato

Summers in Italy are usually long and hot.  To lessen the effects of Italy's stifling summer heat, something cool is a must.  Something like a caffe shakerato, perhaps.Ice cream is OK, but its effects never really last long enough for me.  The fruit and mint flavour liquid ice granitas … [Read more...]

Fragolino Time

Fragolino drink

Fragolino is a mysterious, and for some, illegal drink.  For those not in the know, fragolino is a type of grape, which gets its name from the Italian for strawberry - fragola.  This grape tends to produce a wine with a sort of strawberry flavour, hence its 'fragolino' moniker.The 'ino' part … [Read more...]