Elisir di China Santa Maria Novella - 50cl
Elisir di China is a liqueur of ancient origin made by the workshop from the formula of Fra Giovanni Cavalieri, director of the company from 1659 to 1684. Ideal to drink as an aperitif with some ice cubes or to sip neat with lemon zest as digestive after dinner. It has an aromatic, bitter-sweet and decidedly spicy profile, with a pleasant balsamic note
The Elisir di China, produced by the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, is an ancient specialty of this historic workshop founded by the Dominican friars in 1221. The tradition of elixirs originates from the quest to create a miraculous herbal infusion, capable of granting immortality or at least ensuring well-being for as long as possible. The ancient knowledge of botany and the techniques for creating medicinal preparations led to the creation of this recipe in the 17th century, which is still offered in the same composition, absolutely faithful to the original.
The Elisir Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella di China is made using a few, simple, high-quality ingredients: alcohol, cinchona bark, sugar, water. The prized bark of the cinchona plant, native to Central and South America, is infused in purest alcohol, so that during the long maceration period it can release all the typical aromas of China. The infusion is then filtered to remove the barks, diluted with water to lower the alcohol content, and slightly sweetened to counteract the bitter notes of China. It is perfect to enjoy at the time of the aperitif, neat or with ice, but it can also be used in the more modern and creative art of mixology, to create original cocktails or long drinks.
The Elisir di China from the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a specialty that highlights all the ancient wisdom in creating a bottle with pleasant and captivating aromas. Visually, it presents a dark amber color with bright mahogany reflections. Intense and rich, on the nose it is characterized by an elegant bouquet, expressing aromas of medicinal herbs, aromatic herbs of the Mediterranean scrub, sensations of sweet oriental spices, caramel softness, slightly bitter notes of China, menthol and eucalyptus nuances. The entry on the palate is warm, soft, and alluring, with a sip of very persistent aromas, leading to a harmonious and balanced finish, characterized by spicy sensations and balsamic freshness.