All connoisseurs of good alcohol and lovers of a variety of delicious cocktails are familiar with the unforgettable taste of Galliano liqueur. The original drink is one of the most famous Italian liqueurs and is deservedly popular with gourmets. Details about the liquor (composition, history, production) you will find out below.
The history of the drink
Galliano is a liquor that came to us from Italy, or rather, from the city of Livorno, located in the province of Tuscany. Back in 1896, Arturo Vaccari, one of the Italian distillation masters and brandy producers, came up with a recipe for a drink that is destined to gain popularity in the future. The liquor got its name “Galliano” in honor of the hero of the first Italo-Ethiopian war, which then just died out in the country, Giuseppe Galliano. A major of the Italian army tragically died on the battlefield, fighting for the well-being of his native country. For 44 days, the commander's garrison held the siege of the fortress, reflecting the attacks of a huge Ethiopian army.
The composition of the liquor "Galliano"
First of all, buyers pay attention to the amazing color of "Galliano", as if the liquor is shimmering with gold. This shade was not chosen for nothing, it symbolizes the era of the gold rush, because it was in the 19th century that it swept different corners of the world, and many Italians then also fired up with a passion for noble metal. And what does the drink consist of?
In the production of liquor, more than thirty different herbs, berries, spices, plants are used. The exact recipe is kept secret and is available only to a very narrow circle of people, and is currently owned by the company Lucas Bols, which produces liquor. However, you can easily distinguish notes of citrus, lavender, spicy anise and ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon in the drink. And vanilla, which clearly appears in taste, is the main difference between Galliano and similar drinks. The taste is clearly sweet, with an admixture of zest and vanilla, and the strength of the liquor is 30%.
Beverage production
Liquor "Galliano", the taste of which will not leave indifferent connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages, goes through several stages of production. The ingredients of the drink are divided into several groups, each of which goes through different preparation processes. Groups differ in brewing and distillation times, all of them are located in separate containers. Thus, we can safely say that technologically the production of liquor is a very complex process.
Only after all the ingredients are ready, they are combined together, after which they are mixed with alcohol and sugar syrup. The distillation process occurs with the use of alcohol from cereals. Already blended drink is infused and aged for some time, and then corked in bottles. Galliano is a liquor bottled in a container of a unique shape, recognizable at first sight, because the bottles are made in the form of Roman columns. By the way, liquor is not liked for this feature: the bottles are very high and often do not fit on the shelf of the bar.
Modifications of liquor "Galliano"
The classic vanilla version of L`Autentico liqueur has been familiar to fans of this drink for many years, but the producers went further and created two new tastes of Galliano. The liqueur was released in two versions: Galliano Ristretto, where grains of 100% Arabica and Robusta were added, as well as Galliano Balsamico - a drink with the addition of balsamic vinegar, which has a characteristic taste and aroma.
With the change in the liquor producer, its strength also changed. Now it is equal to 42 degrees, and the strength of the modified versions of liquor slightly exceeds 37%.
Drinking liquor
To begin with, although liquor can be used in its pure form, it has not gained much popularity as a digestif. However, sometimes it is served as the final chord of the meal. Most often, “Galliano” can be found in a variety of cocktails, both hot and cold, as it goes well with other ingredients with a less pronounced taste. The addition of several spoons of liquor to tea or coffee is popular, but it is most fully disclosed in combination with other alcoholic beverages.
The most popular recipe for a cocktail with liquor is "Harvey Walbanger", which literally translates from English as "Harvey Break-through-the-wall." The history of the invention of this cocktail is quite interesting. Once in California, an unknown bartender decided to diversify the classic “Screwdriver” and added a little “Galliano” to give the drink a special aroma and aftertaste. The regulars of the bar quickly appreciated the new invention, the drink began to be popular. One of the surfers, Harvey, was so carried away by tasting a new cocktail that after leaving the establishment, heading to the sea, crashed into his breakwater on his board. The original name of the cocktail came from here, and its recipe is very simple - mix vodka, liquor and orange juice. And it will demonstrate how these ingredients combine with Galliano (liquor), the photo in which you see the Harvey Walbanger feed.
Cold cocktails with the addition of "Galliano"
The most suitable juice for mixing with liquor is orange, so most cocktails with the addition of Galliano are based on it. Consider the most popular recipes that are daily played in bars and restaurants around the world.
"Harry's hangover." Vodka, lime and orange juice are mixed with ice in a shaker. Liquor is poured into the already prepared cocktail from above. The drink is served with a slice of lime.
"The Yellow Devil." The glass is half filled with crushed ice, after which it mixes the juice of oranges, white rum and Galliano.
"Knockout". The shaker mixes ice, tequila, juice of oranges and lemons and Galliano liqueur.
The Golden Volcano. Tequila, cream, lime and oranges and Galliano juice are whipped in an ice shaker, and Triple Sec is added. A glass of cherry is decorated.
"Carabinieri". Fill the glass half with ice, then pour in the alcohol that was previously mixed in the shaker. You will need tequila, liquor, lime and orange juice, as well as one egg yolk.
Hot cocktails based on "Galliano"
A punch recipe with the addition of Galliano is quite popular in the winter. It is prepared very simply: mix water, whiskey, liquor and grenadine. Most often, only water is boiled, and the remaining ingredients are added to it, but sometimes bartenders first combine all the components, and then they are heated.
The second very popular recipe is the Flambe cocktail. The same flaming cocktail, the serving of which you could see in restaurants and bars. Vermouth and lemon juice are poured into a glass pre-filled with crushed ice. Galliano is heated separately, set on fire and poured into a glass.
Another recipe that was specially invented for Galliano, but does not apply to cold or hot cocktails, deserves special mention. This is a hot shot of Galliano: liquor, espresso and cream are poured in layers into a glass. The taste of shot cannot be expressed in words: here is the softness of the cream, and the astringency of coffee, and the spicy aroma of liquor.
Cost
At present, it is not possible to answer the question of how much the Galliano liquor of 1996 or other past dates costs. After changing the recipe and the manufacturer, it is very difficult to buy an old product; in Russia it is almost impossible to find.
The liquor of the new recipe is sold in many online stores of good alcohol and is available in two types - 0.5 and 0.7 liters. The average cost of a half-liter bottle is about 1000 rubles, and a capacity of 0.7 - about 1500.
Do not doubt the quality and special taste that Gagliano promises (liquor), the reviews of those who have already tried the drink confirm that it has specific features that will pleasantly surprise not only connoisseurs of alcohol, but also inexperienced lovers.