Crodino Biondo

Mmmm … from the late afternoon sunshine golden colour in the beautifully embossed bottle, to the fabulous bitterness that rises up after the initial honey sweetness, this is a gorgeously moreish drink.  The producers are cagey about the ingredients, only citing ‘botanicals, woods and herbs’ but they’ve been producing it since the 1965 so it certainly works. The initial notes of caramel and vanilla hold underlying hints of spices including nutmeg, clove and cardamom. The truly grown up bitter hit lingers long and pleasingly on the palate, and the whole drink is a beautifully balanced fusion of sweet, bitter, spice and herb. Apparently it’s aged for six months to allow the infusion to develop its complex flavours. Pair with a slice of orange and lots of ice and you have a drink to sip on a Tuscan terrace.