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This year I had the amazing opportunity to travel to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail and work with Disaronno, the Italian Amaretto made in Saronno, Italy. I was invited to do an Instagram Takeover for the brand, which was an excellent excuse to drink a lot of Disaronno!
Prior to traveling to New Orleans I must admit that had a relatively minor understanding of Disaronno. I knew the brand, the iconic bottle, and I knew that it was an Amaretto, but other than that I really didn't know how to use it in cocktails. I'm pleased to report that I'm now bubbling over with ideas of how to use Disaronno in my cocktail creations after what could be classified as a Disaronno Boot-Camp - at the heart of which is the Disaronno Sour, a refreshing and delicious cocktail.
Before we get to all the fun, let's go through the facts. What exactly is Disaronno? It is an Italian Amaretto made from a secret formula that dates from 1525. The liqueur is made from grain alcohol that is infused with apricot kernel oil, burnt sugar, and the essence of seventeen herbs and fruits. While the liqueur is not made from almonds, it has predominant flavors of Bitter Almond, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, and Cocoa.
My first stop on the Tales of the Cocktail Disaronno tour was the BYOB - Bring your Own Barrel Event at the Hotel Monteleone. The cocktail being served was called El Jefe, a barrel aged cocktail made with Disaronno, Anejo Tequila, a few dashes of orange bitters, and garnished with a lemon peel.
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| El Jefe! |
The Disaronno brand ambassadors chatted with Tales of the Cocktail founder Ann Tuennerman prior to the event, and then were busy preparing cocktails for thirsty imbibers! I, thankfully, was able to grab an El Jefe or two at the event as well!
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| Disaronno Ladies & The Cocktail Paparazzi |
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| Disaronno Ambassadors Lauren Ritchie and Silamith Weir with Ann Tuennerman of Tales of the Cocktail |
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| Disaronno Ambassadors Lauren Ritchie and Silamith Weir |
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| Serving El Jefe Cocktails at the Bring Your Own Barrel Event |
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| El Jefe - Disaronno, Anejo Tequila, Orange Bitters, Lemon Peel |
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The following evening I was treated to a delicious four course meal at the 21st Amendment in the Hotel Mazarin in the heart of the French Quarter. Chef Agnes Bellet prepared a traditional New Orelans meal, complimented with cocktails by Paul Sevigny.
But first there were Disaronno Sours with the team! I must admit, this was my first Disaronno Sour ever, and I was happy to be drinking them. Another, please!
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| The Classic: The Disaronno Sour |
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| These Guys - In the Suite |
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| Don't Mind If I Do! |
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| Disaronno Sours Before Dinner |
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| Operetta Punch |
The music was great, as were the cocktails, but it was time to be seated for dinner! We started off the meal with a Napoleon of Clump Crabmeat and Asparagus topped with Remoulade, which was served with a Mela Spritz, a refreshing cocktail made with Disaronno, Green Apple Shrub, Lemon Juice and Topped with Prosecco.
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| The Mela Spritz - Disaronno, Apple Shrub, Lemon Juice, Prosecco |
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| The Aristocrat - Tia Maria, Reposado Tequila, Sweet Vermouth, Chocolate Aztec Bitters |
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| The Cafe Chat Noir - Tia Maria, Port Wine, Espresso, Orange Bitters |
I was seated at dinner with the most romantic and inspiring couple. They were from Lafayette, Louisiana, had six kids (SIX CHILDREN), and acted as though they were teenagers freshly in love. I hope I am so lucky (minus about four kids). Behold:
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| These Two. |
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The following afternoon Disaronno highlighted the Disaronno Sour with a Tasting Room that featured four different variations of the classic cocktail. The Traditional Disaronno Sour, the Creole Sour made with a heavy pour of Angostura Bitters, the Stone Basil Sour made with Orange Juice and a Basil garnish, and the New Orleans Sour made with Lime Juice and Peychaud's Bitters.
Guests were welcomed with a short informational video, a nosing of the dominant flavors in Disaronno, followed by the cocktail tasting of the different variations.
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| The History of Disaronno |
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| Disaronno Tasting and Nosings of Vanilla, Cocao, and Bitter Almond |
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| The Classic Disaronno Sour |
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| Cheers! |
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| Creole Sours! |
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| Tastings of Disaronno Neat |
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| The Creole Sour |
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| The Tasting Room in the Royal Sonesta Hotel |
Many thanks to Disaronno for having me as their guest, and for inviting me to do an Instagram Takeover of their account! It was so much fun to share my behind the scenes shots, and to drink a Disaronno Sour (or six).
But before I go, here are my favorite recipes:
Classic Disaronno Sour
1-1/2 oz Disaronno
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Lemon Twist to Garnish
Shake with ice, and strain into a chilled cocktail coupe. Garnish with a Lemon Twist.
El Jefe
1 Part Disaronno
1 Part Anejo Tequila
4 dashes orange bitters (per portion)
Age in a glass bottle with a charred oak stave for 2 weeks.
To Serve:
Stir with Ice, strain over fresh ice in a low ball glass, and garnish with a lemon peel.
Operetta
2 Parts Disaronno
1 Part Campari
1 Part Lemon Juice
2 Parts Orange Juice
2 Parts Prosecco
Orange Wheel Garnish
Combine in a punch bowl filled with a block of ice. Serve in punch coupes.
The Aristocrat
1.5 oz Tia Maria
1.5 oz Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Chocolate Aztec bitters
Stir with ice and garnish with an orange peel
Creole Sour
1-1/2 oz Disaronno
3/4 oz Angostura Bitters
1 oz Lemon Juice
2 barspoons Simple Syrup
Shake with Ice, and strain into a lowball glass with fresh ice.
Cheers!
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