Luxardo Maraschino Originale is still produced according to a special formula created by Girolamo Luxardo in 1821. When Luxardo Marasca cherries are harvested at the beginning of every summer, they are put in alcoholic infusion in larch-wood vats together with some leaves and branches of the same trees for up to three years. When ready, both the liquid and the solid parts are distilled in traditional copper pot stills, separating the heart from heads and tails. Only the heart of the distillate is then allowed to mature in ash-wood vats. The last process consists in transforming the distillate in liqueur by adding a simple syrup of water and sugar lowering the ABV to 32%. Crystal clear in colour, the aroma is typical of marasca cherry distillate with strong alcohol spirit and roasted nuttiness, while the taste results smooth but sharp at the same time with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and orange marmalade. The tall green bottle with its red cap is still hand-plaited in straw within the company and resembles the Maraschino bottles produced in Zara in the early days, where the straw was placed in order to prevent damage during transportation. Luxardo Maraschino Originale can be enjoyed in many classic cocktails or neat as an after dinner drink. It is also ideal over fruits such as strawberries, pineapples and oranges, or as a flavour in confectionary and ice creams.[#intro]Featured in many classic cocktails like the Manhattan this is a drinks cabinet must have...[/intro]