Last week I was introduced to a new (to me) and exciting beverage: cedrata, a syrupy sweet bottled drink made from the cedro (citron or etrog). These large yellow citrus fruits are native to the Middle East and were brought to Italy in the 10th century by the Arabs. They continue to thrive here, especially around Diamante in Calabria where they are ritually harvested for Sukkot in the autumn. Tassoni and other industrial producers of cedrata harvest in January and transform the citrons into a sweet beverage with a slight ginger aftertaste. I don’t know how I could have overlooked cedrata all these years. It was hugely popular in the ’70s and ’80s when it spawned some amazingly cheesy commercials (see below) that form a sort of trinity of corniness with Campari and Asti Spumanti spots. Enjoy!
Categories: Food & Wine
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That looks magnificent. Can we get it here in Rome?
May 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pmah, the memories. The commercial is tacky but the voice of Mina is still sparkingly beautiful!
May 26th, 2009 at 10:31 pm@Rob They should have it at the supermarket. Ive never looked but ive been told…
@Letizia the add is pure cheese but I love it!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:29 amIt’s excellent in the Apertass cocktail — as the name suggests, Aperol and Tassini.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pm