SANTA MARIA AL MONTE CAFFE LIGURE CAFFE ESPRESSO LIQUEUR

At the intersection of Italian coffee culture and liqueur tradition, Santa Maria al Monte Coffee Liqueur carries forward a storied Genoese heritage that dates back to the late 19th century when Chef Vincenzo Castrovillari developed a "miraculous elixir" recipe supposedly gifted by the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte. Now produced by Gruppo Caffo (after three generations of stewardship by the Vignale family), this classic expression maintains its traditional production methods, beginning with premium arabica and robusta beans sourced from Ethiopia, Honduras, Brazil, and Uganda. Small-batch roasted by local Calabrian artisans, these beans undergo hot water maceration before blending with vanilla, cocoa, neutral grain distillate, and sugar beet sweetener. The resulting 30% ABV liqueur offers a lush espresso aroma leading to a rich, mouth-coating palate of chocolate-covered coffee beans with pleasant acidity and nostalgic notes reminiscent of Ferrero Pocket Coffee candies—perfect neat as a digestivo or as the foundation for an exceptional Espresso Martini.