Washington, DC-based Don Ciccio & Figli artisanal distillery has introduced Cerasum Aperitivo, a bitter-cherry liqueur. The naturally tart spirit arrives just in time to enjoy in conjunction with the upcoming 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Cerasum is based on a traditional Italian recipe from 1906, respecting the product from the original Don Ciccio & Figli distillery, which produced liqueurs on Italy’s picturesque Amalfi Coast for nearly a century. The recipe was resurrected stateside by fourth generation family owner Francesco Amodeo who opened his distillery in the nation’s capital in 2012.
At 23% ABV, Cerasum is made with an infusion of three types of cherries from Michigan, sakura blossoms from Virginia, and 10 selected roots and herbs including juniper, chamomile, and hibiscus.
While the aperitivo category has grown significantly in recent years, there are only a few other cherry-based liqueurs available in the U.S, making this an exciting addition to an intriguing category. The natural tartness of the cherries creates a medium-to-high bitterness level that was designed with cocktail aficionados and fans of bitter aperitivi like the Negroni and Americano in mind.
Cerasum is available at retailors across the U.S. and has a suggested retail price of $35.99. Don Ciccio & Figli also offers tastings from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday at its distillery located at 6031 Kansas Ave., NW.
