Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

Appearance: Transparent with a slightly yellowish hue. Aroma: Eau-de-Cologne and lemon oil. Flavour and Texture: Floral and sweet. There is a citrus oil character on the arrival followed immediately by white sugar, then a floral perfume-like taste that is what you would imagine eau-de-Cologne might taste like if it was sweetened. An interesting modern take on Italian rosolio, which is traditionally a liqueur with water, sugar and alcohol in the same proportions, and often based on floral and/or fruit extracts. On nosing this you cannot escape the instant identification of eau-de-Cologne which is entirely understandable given that eau-de-Cologne contains a mix of citrus and herb oils, particularly bergamot. There is a famous German brand called “4711” which my grandmother used to wear and this smells EXACTLY the same. The flavor is also floral and fruity, with grapefruit and sherbet lemon being obvious, plus the lemony/orange essence of bergamot orange oil. The texture is syrupy and sweet, but it’s a liqueur so you expect that. I thought it was on the cusp of being too sweet to enjoy as a digestif when taken neat (even chilled) but it shines as a mixer. The Italicus site recommends several cocktails and we tried them all with equally favourable results. Their Margarita-like cocktail is very good (but make it teeth-shatteringly cold) and it is also excellent as a spritz with prosecco or cava. However my favourite use is as a gin substitute with tonic water and lots of ice, in which form it is almost sinfully delicious and easy to quaff. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)

I really really enjoy this. Drinking this over ice or with something bitter is fantastic (think campari or gentian in a modified negroni). I am absolutely obsessed with the flavor of bergamot, so the cirtusy almost earl grey flavor of this liqueur is right up my alley. It is a bit sweeter than I typically like to drink straight, but the flavor is so good I cannot stop myself.

Has a lot going for it (love the bergamot and lemon notes) but a little too sweet for my taste. Would like to see it with more bitter elements, but have found that a half ounce or so adds a nice twist to various gin drinks or even spritzes with an amaro/aperitivo that doesn’t completely overpower it.

Definitely more oily than syrupy. This is not just another Cointreau. It’s sweeter than I would have thought, but there is a bitterness like orange peel or grapefruit peel that comes with it. Tried it neat, and that is not how I enjoy it, but works great in Martinis, negronis, and spritzes.

Smells orange citrusy and sweet. Also tastes like sweet orange upfront and I was worried that this would essentially just be more expensive triple sec. But there is some delightful cola-esque notes in the finish. Maybe like a sweet chinotto? Perhaps that is what bergamot tastes like.

Thanks @Looneyhead for cracking this bottle. Tried neat. On the nares its very herbal amd sweet with notes of spearmint and like the turn down service at our favorite resort in mexico. On the palate its exceptionally sweet but tasty and minty.