Averna, 2 Homes and an Army of Workmen
You need one of these
If you have one of these
When a blogger disappears for a while one of two things may have happened. Either she has been engaged to write a cookbook or she has been traveling, trekking through Abruzzo on the trail with five hundred sheep. Oh no wait – that trekking thing, that was my friend Linda of Ciao Chow Linda. And as for the book, no publisher has come knocking yet.
No, there is something else that can keep a woman out of her kitchen and away from her computer. And that something is a home remodeling project. All-consuming. The Mother of All Decision Making Endeavors, a home remodel is a life changing experience. To those readers and friends who have expressed their concern at my overlong absence, thank you. Your kind words and thoughts have meant the world to me.
Bart and I have been living in a rental home across the street from “the project.” The truth is that when you’ve got no real home to call your own, you need a bar. That way you can make a good cocktail. That way you can get through a project like this.
I’ve been experimenting of late with Averna, Sicily’s famous amaro. First developed by Sicilian friars, production was given over to Salvatore Averna in 1868. Like all amari, it is big and bittersweet, sort of like watching as an army of workmen tear down your home of twenty-five years.
Long thought of as primarily a digestivo, Averna has taken on new life as innovative barmen and women come up with mixed drinks like the Palermo and the Viale. Lush and thick, chameleon-like Averna blends beautifully with other spirits such as rye and vodka, and it’s a marriage made in heaven with citrus, especially blood oranges or orange bitters. The herbal aroma gives way to tasting notes of dark chocolate, vanilla pipe tobacco, coffee and citrus underpinned with licorice and laced with dark, sweet caramel.
Averna is particularly good in long drinks mixed with ginger beer, perfect for Southern California’s triple-digit heat. As for the ginger beer, get the good stuff. Get Fever-Tree. At once bright, bracing, earthy and aromatic, its pure, fresh ginger flavor comes from the masterful blending of three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast, astounding complements to the multi-layered flavor notes of the Averna.
Averna e Agrumi
Averna and Citrus Cocktail
Serves 1
This light, but bracing cocktail is heaped with paper-thin slices of mixed citrus. Lime, lemon and blood orange, they are all here. Meyer Lemon slices are good here too, if you can find them. I just noticed that the last truly seasonal fruits, blood oranges and Meyer lemons, are now being shipped to Los Angeles from Australia and New Zealand. As sad as I am to see the seasonality go, it is indeed nice to have them when I want them. I have called for blood oranges, but you may substitute full bodied fresh orange juice.
1 ½ oz. Averna Amaro Siciliano
1 oz. blood orange juice
Fever-Tree ginger beer
blood orange, lemon, and lime, sliced paper-thin
Place one or two slices of citrus at the bottom of a rocks or highball glass. Fill the glass ¾ full with ice. Slip more slices of citrus down the sides of the glass, wedging them between the ice and the glass. Pour in the Averna and blood orange juice, and top with ginger beer. Finish with more citrus slices. Serve at once.
Both Averna Amaro Siciliano and Fever-Tree products are available at BevMo! (bevmo.com) and other fine liquor stores.
Note: You can click on any picture for a larger image, and to see a slide show!
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 12:10 pm |
I’m so thrilled to see you back posting! My husband is an architect, so I understand all too well what a project you’re taking on. =) I bet it will turn out SO beautifully and perfectly! And until then, definitely treat yourself to a cocktail or two. Cheers!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 12:27 pm |
Hi Amy,
Thank you for the welcome back. An architect! Well now how cool is that? The profession of architect is such an interesting melding of the extremely techincal and artful creation. I know I’ll be having lots more cocktails before this is over! I am so glad you stopped by.
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 2:44 pm |
So glad to see you “up and running the blog again”…Whew that is quite the “re-model”…like how about a brand new home, with just a few of the old studs left! I feel your pain but also know in the end it is worth it…salute for having the grit to do a project like this. We are renovating/gutting our kitchen next spring so will be living here while that is going on…done it once before, well a bit of a challenge! The good thing is having a barbecue and a bar! It’s amazing how much time it takes to source and choose all the finishes,appliances, hardware, plumbing and so on. Luckily I have a bit of a leg up from having worked and gone to school in the decorating/design field. Still…it is daunting and I can hardly wait to see your final “project completed” photos! Again…great to see you back and looking forward, with pleasure, to future updates!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 3:00 pm |
Hi Phyllis,
Quite a project indeed. There are so many decisions to make. It’s a good thing I can mix a drink. How exciting that you too will be renovating. Everyone needs a facelift now and again! Thanks for stopping by. Un bacione a te!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 2:57 pm |
So glad to hear from you, Adri! I doesn’t look like you’ve had your hands full this summer! I’m sure the decisions and the eviction during remodeling must be awful but I know you will be so pleased when it is all finished. I hope we’ll get to see the ‘after’ photos soon 🙂
I’ve not heard of Averna but it sounds wonderful. I’ll have to call my local spirits store to see if they carry it. They do sell Aperol so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I’d love to try it!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 2:58 pm |
I do need to proof read 🙂 I meant to say it DOES look like you’ve had your hands full!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 5:15 pm |
Susan, – no worries. You should see some of the comments I have left around the web. Downright embarrassing,some of them. Even here I often find errors and go back and revise my work. I am a poor typist, having just squeaked by with a passing grade in high school typing and never having made any attempt to refine my skills! GP grab some Averna!
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 3:03 pm |
Hi Susan,
It is great to be back. We’ve had our hands full indeed. This project is terrifically exciting, and I can’t wait to be able to send out the “after” shots. I also plan to keep everyone updated along the way.
It is a good thing I discovered Averna. Wonderful on its own, it is marvelous in mixed drinks, and it has kept me experimenting now for quite time now. I have more on Averna up my sleeve. Thank you so much for stopping by and for the words of encouragement.
Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 at 8:03 pm |
It is so nice to hear from you Adri. I think you better start with at least 2 of these every morning if you have to face this each day. It is kind of like breakfast as after all it does has blood oranges. Take Care, BAM
Thursday, September 4th 2014 at 7:06 am |
Hi Bam
Che buona idea! I had not considered the breakfast value of this cocktail. Thank you for stopping by, and for the sound nutritional advice!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 4:31 am |
One of those would definitely help to make the reno blues go away!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 6:45 am |
Ciao Cakelaw,
Indeed – it’s just the ticket. Thanks for stopping by. Alla prossima!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 9:05 am |
Wow, now that’s what I call remodelling!
A wonderful drink! So refreshing and summery.
Cheers,
Rosa
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 11:58 am |
Hi Rose,
No kidding. This really is quite a project. We needed this drink by the time these photos were taken! Thank you for stopping by. Alla prossima!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 9:50 am |
BENTORNATA! Truly amazing that you are back, considering what’s facing you (literally)! And you didn’t even mention the other items that have kept you away! But lovely to see your pics and read you again.
Forza, Adriana.
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 12:00 pm |
Hi Laura,
Mille grazie! Yes, there were some other things going on too. It has been a tumultuous few months, and I hope that Bart and I find ourselves on an even keel soon. I think that cocktails like this one will help. Thank you so much for stopping by. Un bacione a te!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 4:08 pm |
OMG Adri, I think you need several of these gorgeous looking cocktails to keep you going through the home remodeling project.
Good luck my friend and – Salute!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 6:14 pm |
Hi Daniela,
Cheers to that! Join me in a cocktail any time – the end of the workday at our project has gotten very flavorful indeed! Thank you for stopping by.
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 8:01 pm |
Holy Smokes, Batman, that looks like a little more than a remodel! I am really looking forward to the after photos. Welcome back!
Friday, September 5th 2014 at 9:21 pm |
Hi Lynne,
Well, it does seem to have taken on a life if ts own. I’m looking forward to the after photos as well! Thank you for the welcoming words.
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 12:58 am |
Alcohol definitely seems indicated! What an undertaking. Hopefully it will all be worth it though 🙂
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 7:23 am |
Hi Kari,
Indeed,just what the doctor ordered… I can’t wait to write “… coming to you from my new kitchen”!! Thanks for stopping by.
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 5:47 am |
Great to see you back in action, Adri! This drink does sound lovely. I am one of those who only thought of Averna as a digestivo, so I have some catching up to do, I guess..
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 7:32 am |
Ciao Frank,
Thank you for the welcome. It is wonderful to be back. Averna is indeed more than a digestivo. Imagine the “Black Manhattan” a take on the classic and made with rye, Averna and Angostura Bitters. Gotta have it. Cheers!
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 6:13 am |
Oh my! That is a project. I’ve been there. If your experience is anything like ours, it will be chaotic, crazy and stressful for months, and then all together you will finally get to the final, refinishing stages and you’ll be energized by the beauty and functionality of your new space. As Stefano often reminded me during our rebuild, Rome was not built in a day.
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 10:09 am |
Ciao Due,
I remember your project after that terrible fire. At least we do not have to contend with the kind of harsh weather you had to endure. Bart and I are in the San Fernando Valley in a suburb of Los Angeles, so we’ve no snow to worry about. All the decisions, all the time frames, all the people! There is a lot going on here, senza dubito. Stefano is a wise man, and I know our patience will be rewarded when I finally write “… coming to you from my new kitchen.” Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words of support. I am thinking that the Amaro Averna will come in very hand around here. Cheers!
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 8:46 am |
85 comments already! Boy am I slow at getting in on the action. You can tell we have all missed you Adri!! Good grief I had no idea what you meant when you wrote “re-modeling project” until I just looked at those pictures. Wow!! I need a drink just looking at it. Your Averna and Citrus cocktail looks splendid. I think I will print out the recipe and take it to a lovely new bar near my house and see if I can get the bartender to whip one up for me.
Glad to see you are back in action on the blog front. Look how many fans you had waiting for you, including me. But believe me I know what it is like trying to keep up a blog when you have a lot going on. Good luck with everything!
Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 9:03 am |
Ciao Trisha,
With all that has been going on, I have been completely overwhelmed, and so I have found everyone’s words of welcome particularly heartwarming. I think it feels good to be missed. Yes, this is one heck of a project. As people have noted, this is no remodel. This is a new house. It was shocking to witness the demolition phase, and now that the framing is underway, I find it exciting to see our new home take form.
I hope you can get a barman to make this for you. It is so refreshing; I could sip this all afternoon and evening. Thank you for stopping by. Cheers!
Wednesday, September 10th 2014 at 2:39 pm |
SERIOUSLY, TO QUOTE EVERYONE ELSE, “I HAD NO IDEA….”
ANYWAY, YOU 2 ARE WELCOME TO JOIN ME IN THE GARAGE, AND GRILL OUTSIDE TIL SNOW FLIES! XOXOXO
Wednesday, September 10th 2014 at 5:06 pm |
Ciao Ana,
Yes, indeed this was a new one. Thanks for the invitation. Bart and I would grill with you any day. I hope all is well, and thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, September 16th 2014 at 1:55 pm |
A much belated ben tornata, Adri. Just looking at those remodel photos brings back nightmarish memories of my own remodel ~ and that was just a kitchen. Hang in there, kiddo. It will well be worth the effort in the end. We always have a bottle of Averna hanging around. Your cocktail sounds delicious, and just right for September weather. xo
Tuesday, September 16th 2014 at 7:14 pm |
Ciao Domenica,
This remodel is a completely overwhelming thing, a beast with a life of its own. It’s a good thing I’ve got the Averna! Thanks for the words of support, and thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, September 16th 2014 at 5:42 pm |
Ay-yi-yi! I had no idea it was so all encompassing. XOGREG
Tuesday, September 16th 2014 at 7:18 pm |
Hi Greg,
Ay-yi-yi is right. This is indeed a big project. I think I will make good use of your book, “Savory Cocktails.” Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for the progress.
Sunday, December 14th 2014 at 5:15 pm |
I love anything with ginger. And with blood orange in the mix, it’s even better!
Sunday, December 14th 2014 at 8:47 pm |
Ci carloyn,
Averna and and Ginger Beer are such a great combo! Cheers!