Tomarchio - Bottled Sicily

Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald

Tomarchio: Delicious lemonades with a dash of bitters. 

Bitter lemonades have a long tradition in Italy. Sanbitter has been an alcohol-free alternative to Campari and Aperol since 1961. Tomarchio's products are not quite as bitter. Since 1920, the family business has exclusively used citrus fruits from Sicily, as well as water from the vicinity of the volcano Etna.

Of the 4 products featured, Chinotto Lemonade is the most bitter, and close to drinks like Sanbitter, and is perfect as a mixer for non-alcoholic botanicals, or bitter cocktails.

Cedrata and Aranciata Rossa are much less bitter, but not too sweet. With the Cedrata, there is a nice, slightly bitter finish at the end. It is a good alternative to normal citrus lemonades, such as Sprite or 7up. Special as a mixer, e.g. for non-alcoholic rum alternatives. 

Melagrana, the pomegranate variant comes without bitters, and is a bit artificial in taste for my liking.

Chinotto:

The recipe for this lemonade dates back to the middle of the last century and still has an infusion of chinotto as an ingredient. The special citrus fruit with its typical bitter taste gives the lemonade its unique and unmistakable taste.

Aranciata Rossa:

With 16% "Sanguinello" orange juice from Sicily. Rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins. The particularly aromatic peel, rich in essential oils, gives the lemonade a deep red colour and a perfect balance of sweet and sour taste. The intense aroma is the unique blend of water from the nearby volcano Etna with the best Sicilian red oranges.

Cedrata:

Deliciously refreshing and a perfect alternative to classic lemonade. Cedrata uses natural lime extract. An ancient citrus fruit with a distinctive rough and thick skin, it has a similar taste to lemon but is more aromatic and has a sweet-bitter aftertaste.