Once you look past Italy’s art, fashion and food scene, you’ll find the allure of their gins, digestifs, vermouths, and liqueurs. Italians adore bittersweet flavors to sip and linger over. None are better for embracing your inner Italian than MALFY Gin, Fernet-Branca, Brancamenta, Carpano Antica and Caffè Borghetti.

Italy and especially Sicily have always held a special place in my heart and soul, and rightly so since most of my heritage is Italian. I enjoy everything Italian, from the food (I LOVE cannolis), the culture, the gorgeous architecture and of course Italian wine! Even if you aren’t Italian, you can still enjoy the delicious taste of the spirits below.

MALFY Gin ($29.99): The largest premium gin distilled in Italy, recently announced the launch of MALFY Gin Originale, joining the brand’s initial offering, MALFY Gin Con Limone.

All Italian Negroni

1 oz. MALFY Gin Originale

1 oz. Carpano Antica Formula

1 oz. bitters

1 slice lemon/orange

Mix equal parts MALFY Gin Originale, Carpano Antica Formula, and bitters into a small cocktail jug filled with ice. Stir, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of lemon or orange.

Fernet-Branca ($29.99): – Everyone’s favorite Italian amaro, Fernet-Branca has a rich history as the world’s most popular digestivo, made with 27 herbs and spices, that to this day are closely guarded family secret. Just three sips and you’re family!

Brancamenta ($29.99): – Brancamenta is an herbal liqueur akin to Fernet-Branca, born in 1960 made of 27 herbs from 4 continents. Only the finest natural peppermint oil and sugar are added to Brancamenta to give it the unique taste for which it is known. The famous opera singer, Maria Callas, had the habit of drinking Fernet-Branca with some fresh mint leaves before performing. Like her, many other trendy youngsters enjoyed the product in this way, especially in the summer, and unknowingly invented a drink which was both a tonic and a refreshing beverage.

Carpano Antica Formula ($29.99): – It is the king of Red Vermouths, originally called “the nectar of the Gods.” The saffron is a premium ingredient perceived in the taste and visible in the Color. Some ingredients remain a secret, thanks to the tradition of over 220 years of history.

Caffé Borghetti ($19.99): – Italy has enjoyed a lengthy love story with coffee. Borghetti has a symbolic place in this history. Caffè Borghetti was created in 1860 by Ugo Borghetti in occasion of the inauguration of the railway Pescara – Ancona. The product, known as the “real coffee espresso liqueur”, became soon very popular locally.