LCBO Food and Drink Early Summer 2016

Luxardo is a family firm established in Croatia in 1821 then relocated to Italy in 1947. Best known for its mara- schino cherry liqueur, it also produces this fine sambuca from oil of aniseed (which balances the sweetness of the liqueur with a dry licorice fragrance) and elderberries (adding a subtle fruitiness). The name sambuca derives from the Arabic zammut , meaning “anise” and probably reached Italy via the Arab occupation of Sicily (827 to 1091). It reached most of us during the 1980s, when every Italian res- taurant served a shot glass brim-full of sambuca with three coffee beans floating on the top. Then they’d set light to the drink… Such drama! Ani- seed has a natural affinity to coffee and dark chocolate, which works beau- tifully in this dessert. Luxardo Sambuca dei Cesari LCBO 40196, $19.95

Chocolate-Sambuca Salami recipe on page 158

FOOD & DRI NK EARLY SUMMER