Traditional Italian liqueurs see rise in exports

Naples - Traditional Italian liqueurs, products of Italian excellence, are breaking ground in exports alongside with star-rated cuisine. After a period of stagnation, this sector has considerably picked up in response to the increasing demand for cocktails in between meals.

It has become popular in the United States and is a new trend in Italy as well, especially in the north. There are approximately 70 traditional Italian liqueurs that are over 100 years old. Among the oldest is Liquore Strega, produced since 1860 in Benevento, the city of witches according to folk traditions.

The Strega brand is renowned for a celebrated literary award and now, for the past three years, its bartender contest too. Many are now bartenders across the world, contributing to this boom in exports by their mixes with these traditional liqueurs. According to Alex Frezza, bar manager and mixologist, these products are "more popular abroad, where historic brands are highly appreciated compared to Italy. This is in spite of Italy being the country where the liqueurs were created."

The third edition of the Premio Strega Mixology has as its theme 'The New Italian Classic', a competition involving bartenders coming from the four corners of the world. The awarding ceremony will take place in Naples on 12 June and will be given to the best recipe capable of conveying the historic and cultural features of Liquore Strega.

The jury panel will be made up by experts such as Salvatore Calabrese, (a senior expert based in London), Leonardo Leuci, Fulvio Piccinini, star-rated chef Gennarino Esposito and from the national Accademia maestri pasticcieri Italiani, Sal De Riso.