Luxardo Antico Aperitif
Luxardo Antico is a 16.5% ABV (33 proof), 750mL vermouth-style aperitivo from Girolamo Luxardo S.p.A. of Torreglia, Italy — Luxardo's own interpretation of a vermouth, built on marasca cherry juice left to ferment naturally, fortified with neutral alcohol, aged in oak vats and infused with herbs and spices, in a clear, deep burgundy red. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
Luxardo has been a family house since 1821, when Girolamo Luxardo founded the distillery in Zara, Dalmatia to produce the rosolio maraschino his wife Maria Canevari had perfected; after the Zara distillery was destroyed in World War II, the family rebuilt in Torreglia near Padua in 1947, where the sixth and seventh generations still run the company. Antico returns to the house fruit: the same sour marasca cherries behind the flagship Maraschino, here fermented into a cherry wine, fortified, rested in oak and bittered with botanicals — a cherry vermouth in everything but name.
Tasting profile: a fruity, spicy aroma with zesty citrus, white-petal florals, dandelion and burdock; a complex palate of vinous sour cherry, orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon with white-pepper-led spice; and a long, bitter, herbal, lightly spiced finish with gentle tannins. Browse the Luxardo brand collection, more liqueurs, aperitifs in the spirits collection, and the full store at Del Mesa Liquor.
Serving note: neat or over ice as an aperitivo, or swapped in for vermouth — try a cherry-forward Negroni or Manhattan riff, dialing the pour back slightly since Antico is intensely cherry-led.
What is Luxardo Antico? Luxardo's vermouth-style aperitivo made from naturally fermented marasca cherry juice, fortified, aged in oak vats and infused with herbs and spices.
How is it different from Luxardo Aperitivo? Different products entirely — Antico is the 16.5% cherry-wine aperitivo; the Aperitivo is an 11% bitter-orange liqueur.
How do you drink it? Neat or over ice, or anywhere sweet vermouth belongs, for a cherry twist.
What is the ABV? 16.5% ABV (33 proof), 750mL, deep burgundy red, GMO-free and vegan-friendly.