Beverage of the Month (May 2007)

Assolutamente amiamo the Venetian digestif Elisir Gambrinus, a drink of alternately subtle and virile flavor depth - contradictory, challenging and delicious. Composed of grappa, a single obscure Northern Italian grape varietal and a mysterious and secret blend of wild herbs so common to European cordials, apertifs and liqueurs ( i.e. Chartreuse, Benedictine, Campari, even Dubonnet). Two flavoring agents which have been divulged over the years (first distilled in the 17th century) are wild blackberry leaves and violets. Do you already love it? Search for a bottle and wow guests at the end of a meal with small glasses of the chilled ambrosia - and tell them Cafe Drake sent you.