Citrus Love, my Summer 2010 cocktail

I adore all that is citrus and tend to use it a lot in my cooking.
I drink it a lot, too. Every morning I press a lime or a lemon, preferably organic, to blend it with other types of fresh fruit in my smoothie.
I'm kind of a citrus-addict. No wonder the only soft drink I drink more than twice a year - in general I tend to boycott soft drinks 'cause they're full of sugar and other not-so-healthy stuff - is Chinotto, a very old-fashioned Italian drink that now seems to enjoy a well-deserved comeback and is becoming quite popular again in my country.
I say "no wonder" because chinotto is not only a soft drink but a type of citrus. Its Latin name is Citrus Myrtifolia and in Italy this plant grows really well in the Liguria region and in Sicily.
The chinotto fruit is very bitter. So much that it's impossibile to eat it like an orange or a tangerine unless it's candied. One of my favourite treats on earth are the bitter chocolate covered chinotto's made by Domori, one of the finest Italian chocolate producers. A must if you love chocolate AND chinotto. While eating my first one I discovered the real meaning of "match made in heaven" and I need just one of those little plump candied fellas to be a happier person.

The soft drink that takes its name from this fruit originating in China is made by several Italian soft-drink producers and it's usually very pleasantly bitter-sweet. My favourite one is made by Lurisia and the San Pellegrino one is quite OK too.
These days I'm drinking it a lot "straight" and I thought it would be nice to combine it with some other ingredients in a cocktail, for a change.
So this is the result. My Citrus Love Italian cocktail.

You need 1/4 Bombay Sapphire gin, 3/4 Chinotto, preferably Lurisia, the juice of 1 lime, some crushed mint leaves, ice cubes and a slice of green lime to decorate.

Mix well and enjoy!

Comments

[Michael Seevinck]

Hi,

Chinotto is indeed marvelous!

Where in the Netherlands can I buy the Lurisia Chinotto?
I am unable to find it.

Many thanks.

[Nicoletta]

Hi Michael, I buy it at the wholesaler in Amsterdam and to tell you the truth I don't know which shops sell it. I presume good Italian shops all over The Netherlands.
If you're in Amsterdam or are planning to come this way I can also buy some for you, if you want. Just let me know. Ciao!

[Michael Seevinck]

Okay, thanks!

I've found a shop in Utrecht that sells it (but rather expensive (2 euro for bottle)), called Fiori Culinaria at de Twijnstraat.

best wishes, Michael

[Nicoletta]

Hi Michael, I know why it's so expensive, it's because the price at the wholesaler is quite high too... They don't sell it for a lot more than what they pay for it, believe me... :)