Imagine a love story so captivating it birthed a legend.
Saronno, Italy – In a tale as rich as its flavours, the story of Disaronno dates back to 1525, when a young innkeeper in the picturesque town of Saronno captured the heart of artist Bernardino Luini, a protégé of Leonardo da Vinci. Inspired by her beauty, Luini painted a Madonna fresco, and in return, the innkeeper crafted a unique amber liqueur from a secret blend of herbs and fruits steeped in apricot kernel oil. This enchanting creation, gifted to Luini, would soon be known as ‘di Saronno.’
Fast forward to the 1970s, this beloved liqueur took centre stage as the key ingredient in the original Amaretto Sour, a cocktail classic of the disco era.
Disaronno Originale is an iconic Italian amaretto liqueur known for its rich nutty flavour. It offers a smooth blend of apricot kernel oil, caramel, and vanilla, delivering warmth and sweetness with hints of marzipan and cherry. Its texture is velvety, and it finishes with subtle notes of cocoa and spice, making it versatile for sipping neat or in cocktails. The liqueur’s aromatic, complex profile is both inviting and distinctive.
To celebrate this legacy, Disaronno Brand Ambassador Nat Salerno has created five innovative cocktails inspired by the classic Amaretto Sour, inviting enthusiasts to explore the magic of this legendary liqueur.
Mixology Masterpieces: 5 fabulous Creative Cocktail recipes made with Disaronno by Nat Salerno
Introducing the 1525 cocktail
Aptly named for the year Disaronno was invented, ‘1525’ pays homage to a rich history. Combining the smooth, nutty essence of Disaronno with decadent notes of crème de cacao, the tartness of cherry and lemon juice, and a hint of chocolate bitters, this cocktail cranks the dial on delicious.
1525
30ml Disaronno
30ml Crème de Cacao
15ml Cherry Juice
15ml Lemon Juice
1 Egg White (optional for a frothy texture)
Garnish with 2-3 dashes of Chocolate Bitters
Now let’s look at this unique Amaretto Sour appropriately named Luini.
This cocktail commemorates Bernardo Luini, the lucky recipient of the first-ever bottle of Disaronno. The richness of Disaronno blends the botanical notes from Martin Miller’s Gin and the herbal complexity of Chartreuse, enhanced with lime and a frothy egg white finish.
Luini
25ml Disaronno
25ml Martin Miller’s Gin
10ml Chartreuse Yellow
15ml Lime Juice
1 Egg White (optional for a frothy texture)
Garnish with Kaffir Lime Leaf
The ‘Da Vinci’ is classy rendition that’s highly likely to be a hit in sophisticated bars.
This cocktail is as masterful as its namesake. This exquisite drink combines the nutty richness of Disaronno with the sophisticated bitterness of Select Aperitivo and the tartness of cranberry and lemon juice, a harmonious blend of flavours that celebrates the artistry of mixology.
Da Vinci
40ml Disaronno
20ml Select Aperitivo
20ml Cranberry Juice
2-ml Lemon Juice
1 Egg White (optional for a frothy texture)
Garnish with 2-3 dashes Orange Bitters
Presenting the Reina Amaretto Sour made with Disaronno – named in honour of Giovanni Reina.
Reina rediscovered the original Amaretto recipe in the 1600s, a recipe that was later commercially produced by his descendant Domenico Reina in 1900 as “Amaretto di Saronno” – and finally renamed in 2001 as “Disaronno Originale”.
Combining the nutty sweetness of Disaronno with the smoky depth of mezcal, complemented by the tart freshness of raspberries and smoothness of vanilla syrup, the ‘Reina’ offers a unique and delightful flavour experience that celebrates a rich heritage.
Reina
30ml Disaronno
20ml Mezcal
5 Fresh Raspberries
15ml Vanilla Syrup
20ml Lemon Juice
Garnish with fresh raspberries
Finally, we have a most intriguing cocktail named Dolce Vita.
While its name may have changed over centuries, Disaronno has always retained an essential relationship with the Italian concept of ‘La Dolce Vita’, or ‘the sweet life’, which inspires Nat’s final sour cocktail creation.
Indulge in the refined elegance of the ‘Dolce Vita’ Amaretto Sour. This sophisticated blend marries the rich notes of Disaronno with the vibrant zest of Yuzushu and the bold character of Mount Gay Eclipse rum. It is Enhanced with rosemary syrup, lemon juice, and passion fruit juice. Enjoy a touch of the good life in every sip.
Dolce Vita
30ml Disaronno
10ml Yuzushu
20ml Mount Gay Eclipse
10ml Rosemary Syrup
15ml Lemon Juice
15ml Passionfruit Juice
1 Egg White (optional for a frothy texture)
Garnish with Rosemary and Lemon Twist
Turn your bar staff into artists with complimentary educational training on Amaretto Sour cocktail making with Disaronno.
If you’d like to elevate your venue’s Amaretto Sour game and attract new customers, Nat Salerno from Spirits Platform is available for complimentary cocktail training and tasting sessions, equipping staff with the skills to create mixology masterpieces customers will love.
Contact Nat Salerno at nsalerno@spiritsplatform.com.au or 0475 050 458 for complimentary cocktail training and tasting sessions.
Learn More about Disaronno.
