I’m a big fan of buying random bottles of alcohol I see at the store, which is probably why I have so many bottles I have never even opened. I bought a bottle of Vecchio Amaro del Capo and it’s been chilling in my freezer for a couple months. I finally decided to make a craft cocktail using this amaro, and after a few attempts I think I have a winner, Lucciola.
I named this drink Lucciola, the Italian word for firefly, because of the color of the cocktail. This drink is so delightful it’s quickly become a hit with my friends.
What Is Vecchio Amaro del Capo?
Vecchio Amaro del Capo is an amaro, a type of herbal liqueur popular in Europe. You may know one of the most popular amaros by the name of Jagermeister. Or the fact the modern Paper Plane cocktail is made with Amaro Nonino.
Vecchio Amaro del Capo is made from distilled sugar beets and infused with 29 herbs, spices, roots, flowers, fruits, and more. Of course the full recipe is a family secret, and has been for over 100 years.
How To Make A Lucciola Vecchio Amaro del Capo Cocktail
This drink is quite easy, although you might need some ingredients you don’t have. Usually I’ll say forget it, but I really do like this cocktail, plus the ingredients are useful in other drinks.
Ingredients
- 50 ml Vecchio Amaro del Capo
- 35 ml Passoa Passionfruit Liqueur
- 25 ml Manzanilla (Spanish Sherry)
- 20 ml Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 5 ml Saline Solution 20% (optional, but recommended)
- 25 ml Aquafaba (or half of an egg white)
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker add all of the ingredients with a few chunks of ice and shake hard for 5-10 seconds. Double strain into a Nick&Nora or a coupe glass and garnish with a fresh slapped sage leaf.
What Does This Drink Taste Like?
In my opinion I believe the flavors from the amaro really come through. The herbal bitterness is balanced nicely by the sweet passionfruit liqueur, and rounded up with the acidity of Manzanilla and lemon juice.
Vecchio Amaro del Capo has strong orange peel and anise/licorice notes, and those flavors do come through. In a way it reminds me a bit of gin because of the floral botanicals.
If you don’t like aquafaba you can of course use egg white, but I find that aquafaba foam lasts quite a bit longer when properly shaken.
LUCCIOLA – A CRAFT VECCHIO AMARO DEL CAPO COCKTAIL
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 50 ml Vecchio Amaro del Capo
- 35 ml Passoa passionfruit liqueur
- 25 ml Manzanilla Spanish sherry
- 20 ml Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 5 ml Saline Solution 5% (optional)
- 25 ml Aquafaba that's the water from a can of chickpeas
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with a few chunks of ice. Shake hard for 5-10 seconds, then double strain into a Nick&Nora or Coupe glass. Garnish with a freshly slapped sage leaf and enjoy!
Notes
Thank you for this! I found Vecchio Amaro at a local store for like $12 so I grabbed a few and was trying to find recipes. This one gave me the base but I subbed St Germain for the passion fruit and cognac for the sherry and it was delicious. Kind of a whiskey sour meets Paper Plane.
Hey happy to hear that. That’s an interesting alteration but sounds great I think I’m going to try it too!