Expert Review

The legend claims that the origin of this drink is in a short affair between a beautiful widow and a painter who was commissioned to paint a mural at the Saronno Basilica in the 16th century. The infatuated painter, who was staying at the inn managed by that same widow, decided to paint the mural in her image, and to thank him, the widow formulated a special beverage from plants, spices and apricot pits. 300 years later, the town pharmacist, Dominique Vernier, discovered the recipe, and he improved it and created the liqueur as we know it today.