An organic Australian limoncello offers a taste of the Mediterranean

Limoncello is one of the most popular liqueurs in Italy, second in popularity only to Campari.

Australians have been familiar with the drink for generations; often being served a free post-meal sip in Italian restaurants.

Now Australian-made limoncello has hit the stage; made by a growing number of small producers, including Three Foxes Distillery..

Their all-natural Australian limoncello is made using only organic lemons with a hint of local lemon myrtle.

Branded as Sunny Arvo Limoncello, is can be sipped neat (like I did), mixed into cocktails, or drizzled over desserts.

So what exactly is limoncello: it orginates from southern Italy, particularly the region around Naples.

The Sunny Arvo version follows the brands Aperitivo and Noperitivo (non alcoholic) releases.

Released through Cerbaco, it is an alternative to more expensive imported brands. Tasted blind, I doubt if you'd notice any difference.

The base alcohol is the classic cane spirit made by Three Foxes - based in Heidelberg in Melbourne - while the lemons come from the Riverina.

They are hand-zested (with the pith cleaned out) and macerated for several weeks.

The final product is sweetened with cane sugar and proofed at 20% - serve it well chilled for maximum enjoyment. All Three Foxes drinks are preservative and chemical free.

Three Foxes Sunny Arvo Limoncello 20% 700ml. See https://www.cerbaco.com.au/

A taste of Provence that's perfect for summer drinking enjoyment

Here's an unusual - but delicious - little taste of Provence for enjoying over the summer months.

An intriguing blend of Vallée de la Durance peaches, peach tree leaves harvested in autumn, cane sugar and Lubéron white wine, RinQuinQuin a la Peche is a very stylish Provençal aperitif.

All you need is some ice cubes.

Distributed by Cerbaco in Australia, it is made by the Distillerie et Domaines de Provence in the village of Forqalquier, a delightful commune situated between the Lure and Luberon mountain ranges. During the Middle Ages it was the capital of Haute-Provence..

With its narrow streets, churches, fountains and squares, the town is popular with tourists and hosts a market every Monday. The surrounding region is knowns for producing a wide range of botanicals and fruits, which the distillery harvests.

Founded in 1898, Distilleries et Domaines de Provence has been making aperitifs and Provencal liqueurs for over 125 years. It now sells its products to 78 countries around the world.

The RinQuinQuin Peche, which features several different varieties of peaches, comes in 750ml bottles and has an ABV of 15% - around the same as a bottle of wine. The name RinQuinQuin, meaning "a refreshing drink", comes from a word in the local dialect - requinquilhar - 'to cheer up'

Think sweet citrusy/peachy fruit with a bright but rich finish. Drink solo, or add to cocktails. 

Other drinks produced at the same distillery - and distributed by Cerbaco - include the impressively tart/bitter Gentiane de Lure, made from an ancient recipe that features a melange of Lubéron white wine, sweet fortified wine, alcohol, sugar, infusions including sweet and bitter oranges, and extracts of gentian roots.

The distillery is also famous for its Pastis Henri Bardouin and range of absinthes, vermouths and other fruit liqueurs and aperitifs, including the exotic Farigoule de Forcalquier Thyme Liqueur. .A range well worth exploring for any adventurous drinker.

For more details see https://www.cerbaco.com.au/