Disaronno Velvet Liqueur

Disaronno Velvet is a cream liqueur from Illva Saronno in the Lombardy town of Saronno, a softer reworking of the iconic Italian amaretto. It folds the brand's apricot kernel almond and marzipan character, with its gentle vanilla sweetness, into a velvety dairy emulsion bottled at 17%, a cream liqueur rather than an aged spirit.

The nose is delicate almond, vanilla, sugar and a light hint of cocoa, the palate silky, creamy and smooth with sweet almond, fine vanilla and a milky texture, closing long, round and nutty. Behind the bar it is a body and dessert ingredient, adding dairy richness, sweetness and a marzipan edge: it shines chilled or over ice, lifts a Velvet Espresso Martini or a Cream Sour, and works in a Disaronno Velvet Tonic for a lighter serve. Serve it cold so the creamy structure comes through, and treat it as a dairy product once opened, keeping it refrigerated and using it within a few months.