Strega (liqueur)

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File:Shabbybooz strega.jpg
A bottle of Strega

Strega (or Liquore Strega), is an Italian herbal liqueur produced since 1860 by the S. A. Distilleria Liquore Strega in Benevento, Campania, Italy. Its yellow color comes from the presence of saffron in its recipe. Liquore Strega is 80 proof (40%) and among its approximately 70 herbal ingredients are mint and fennel. Strega is considered a digestif.

Strega has a similar appearance to Galliano (though less vibrantly yellow). It is slightly sweet, semi-viscous, and has a bold, complex flavor with strong minty or coniferous notes. Strega is used for flavoring torta caprese, a type of cake.

History

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Carmine Vincenzo Alberti (b. 1799) from Naples emigrates due to political reasons to Sannio in the Papal states. His son Giuseppe Alberti (July 29, 1834 in San Felice a Cancello - January 14, 1894) founds the spirits distillery in Benevento. In 1860, the liqueur "Strega" was developed. Strega is the Italian word for "witch" and since legends of witchcraft at Benevento date back to the time of the Lombard invasion, it was a natural choice of name for the liqueur. The liqueur is sometimes called "the witch" in the English-speaking world.

The company experienced growth in the years 1861-1894.[1] Following the death of Giuseppe Alberti his four sons Ugo, Vincenzo, Francesco and Luigi take over. The company received a royal warrant of appointment to the Italian King.

Strega became well known for its colourful and artistic advertising.[2] One poster was designed in 1906 by in the art nouveau style.[3]

Strega Prize

The Premio Strega (Strega Prize), the most prestigious literary award in Italy today,[citation needed] was founded in 1947 by Guido Alberti, then owner of the company, together with his friends the writer Maria Bellonci and her husband Goffredo.

Reviews

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition – one of several international spirit ratings organizations – has evaluated Strega liqueur on three occasions since 2005. The ratings organization gave the spirit gold medals in 2005 and 2011 and a silver medal in 2008.[4]

References in media

In the 1940 film Kitty Foyle, it's said that Strega is to be enjoyed after a romantic meal, with the adage, "Once you drink Strega together, you will never drink it apart."

In the film Made (2001), Vince Vaughn's character, Ricky, orders a Strega when he and Bobby (Jon Favreau) meet up with Ruiz (Sean Combs). Ruiz says, "It's midnight and this motherfucker is ordering an aperitif." "Actually, with all due respect, it – Strega, that is – is a digestif," Ricky replies.

In the Ernest Hemingway book A Farewell to Arms, after a night of drinking with his Italian friends, the protagonist, Henry, returns to his quarters where his roommate, Rinaldi, offers him a drink. Henry says, "Not Strega." Rinaldi counters, "No. Grappa."

In the 1964 Frank O'Hara poem The Day Lady Died, the narrator mentions buying a bottle of Strega at the Park Lane liquor store for Mike.[5]

Strega is also mentioned in the 1962 movie Rome Adventure with Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette and is credited in the movie as making one feel "golden."

In the 1969 Mario Puzo novel The Godfather, Strega is mentioned several times, including in the meeting with Johnny Fontane at the book's beginning; And again when Tom Hagen is found in the study, despondent after Sonny's murder, he is drinking Strega. Don Coreleone, who doesn't yet know of his eldest son's death, finds Tom there drinking a bottle of Strega in an attempt to work up the courage to tell the Godfather that his eldest son has died. The Godfather sees through this and asks him what the bad news is, and he actually comforts Tom after he is told of Sonny's death.

References

  1. http://www.strega.it/pagina.php?codice=33
  2. http://www.strega.it/pubblicita_liquori/48_strega_and_advertising.html#
  3. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kPuRkDC1L._SY355_.jpg
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External links

Official website