Every now and then an idea comes along that you really want to write, but for one reason or another doesn't get to the finish line. Sometimes you just get unlucky: editors don't want it, or they would but they just published something similar, or the timing just doesn't work.
I've got one such on my desk that first came to me in May. I thought it would make a great summer read but various editors were less keen. Now, with the warm weather trailing off, I have three choices: drop it altogether, shelve it and try again to sell it again next year, or make use of it myself. I'm going with the latter, albeit in a condensed form.
I wanted to write about spritzes that go beyond the usual, ubiquitous Aperol and Campari. There are so many other options out there that don't get a look in. The Hugo for instance (made with St Germain elderflower liqueur), or a Limoncello version. But the one I wanted to feature in particular was made with Allora.
Allora is a new Italian aperitivo that's quite similar to Limoncello only much better because it's also herbal and nowhere near as stickily sweet. Its makers say they were inspired by the Italian island of Procida, βthe Gulf of Naples' best kept secretβ.
Allora uses bread lemons grown on the island, as well as wormwood and peppercorns. The result is pale yellow, full bodied but with a dry finish, and has a good lemon freshness that deepens and broadens into a herbal bitterness that gives the drink real interest. It doesn't use any artificial colouring or preservatives .
It's good with soda (mix equals parts over ice) and also tonic, which brings out its bitterness. You can also use it to mix yourself something close to a white Negroni, with 1 measure each of Allora, dry vermouth and gin. I also enjoy it with a dash of Cointreau and topped up with blood orange soda.
Since launching in February most of Allora's sales efforts have been focused on getting into the on-trade. They have secured 500 listings so far, and you can find it in Mele e Pere, Youngs pubs and Curzon cinemas. You can also buy it via the Allora website or even on GoPuff should you want it right away. A 70cl bottle will set you back Β£25 and it is 17% ABV.
And no, I'm not sponsored by Allora in any way. I just like it, and I think you might like it too.
Twitterβs just awful these days, isnβt it? Iβve pretty much stopped using it altogether, apart from cross-posting links to things I want to share.
Iβve been using BlueSky lately and finding it a much more pleasant experience: no ads, a chill vibe, and excellent muting and blocking options for dealing with the (so far very occasional) shitheads.
It also has an excellent feature called βstarter packsβ where you can group together like-minded people and feeds. If you find one you like, you can follow everyone in the pack with a single click. I made a BlueSky starter pack for drink communicators - why not check it out?