Ciao a tutti! This week I would like, for once, to change my focus from “food recipes” to “drink recipes”.  Yes, you are right, some of you surely remember that last winter I did the same by sharing with you my personal version of Irish Coffee,   but today instead I would like to give a tribute to a nice place I visited during my last Italian vacation, a nice mountain town called Fiera di Primiero where I stopped by with my family during a day trip to San Martino di Castrozza, one of the Dolomite’s pearls.

We entered in a random “BAR” very clean and neat,  with flowers anywhere and a breathtaking view, and they served us this

“Aperitivo Medievale” (Middle Age aperitif) that was absolutely the cherry on top of the cake of that beautiful trip.   I have no idea why this cocktail is called “Middle age aperitif”, and the waitress was not able to answer to this question when we asked, but we could steal from her the recipe to find out that this deliciousness is simply made by mixing Prosecco (or another sparkly white wine), Sambuco Syrup (not the medicine one!!! LOL), blueberries in heavy syrup, and served “on the rock” with a few mint leaves. A cocktail simple but sophisticated, delicate but tasty, and so delicious that we made it several time even at home.   As for the availability of the ingredients, Sambuco Syrup is very popular in Italy and can easily be found in any grocery store there. The blueberries in heavy syrup is instead a specialty of the area we were visiting (Fiera di Primiero), and consists in blueberries cooked with sugar, so hypothetically you should be able to prepare it yourself at home*.

ONE SERVING INGREDIENT

1 tbs. Elderflower (Sambuco) Syrup

1 glass or 1 cup (about 250 ml.) Sparkling White Wine

1 tbs. blueberries in heavy syrup

2/3 mint leaves

ice cubes to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a nice glass combine: few ice cubes, one cup (250 ml.) sparkly white wine and 1 tbs. Elderflower Syrup. This last one is not alcoholic at all, it just gives the right touch of sweetness.

Add then 1 tbs. blueberries in heavy syrup and few mint leaves.

Serve the drink super cold, right before dinner and accompanied by some quick finger food.

YUMM!! So colorful,  refreshing AND SO GOOD!

LEARNT IT, MADE IT, LOVED IT!

TIPS: – *Blueberries in heavy syrup are hard to find even online. I usually prepare them myself anytime I make my blueberries tiramisu and save some in a glass jar with the only purpose to prepare this cocktail. The method is very easy and consist  in bringing a small pot of fresh blueberries and sugar to boil for a few minutes. Let it cool off and it’s ready to be used!

– This cocktail has a very delicate (but particular) taste, so I guess anyone would like it but don’t serve it to children! Ah ah ah!

– Remember, if you ever decide to buy the Elderflower (Sambuco) Syrup, that it is not alcoholic and that is actually very good for you (because of the healthy effects of Sambuco plant) don’t forget that can be used also to dress home made slushies (kids will love it!)!!!

– I was very surprise to find out that here in the USA Elderflower Syrup is only commercialized as a “medicine” and not as a sweet syrup. Be carful not to use the medicine one for this cocktail!

What do you think about this cocktail? Have you ever heard about a “Middle Age Aperitif”?

Would you ever consider giving it a try?  

I really hope you liked my recipe this week, and if you did, please  share it, like it, and support my blog!

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MUCH LOVE

SILVIA

 

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IN CASE YOU DON’T KNOW,

my ITALIAN desserts are available upon orders in the QUAD CITIES AREA.

Check out my HOME BAKERY PAGE to learn more!