The White Widow – a Punch Abruzzo cocktail
It seems to me that this coming summer everyone will be in Abruzzo.
Some friends are traveling to visit their ancestral villages and towns. Others, like food writer Domenica Marchetti, are leading culinary tours – taking hungry travelers through this pastoral land, sampling local cuisine and visiting artisanal food makers along the way. Travel to this largely undiscovered region is picking up, and that can only be a good thing. The cuisine, rich and borne of the land, is at once hearty and delicate, nuanced and bold. Cheeses, wines, olive oils and truly divine pastries – Abruzzo has it all. Some of Italy’s finest dried pasta comes from there too. And so does one of my favorite liquors, Punch Abruzzo.
Consider for a moment Abruzzo’s majestic Gran Sasso, a giant of a mountain topped with snow. From its peak you can see two seas and most of central Italy. Now pick up a bottle of Punch Abruzzo. This versatile spirit, an intoxicating deep brown elixir perfumed with a fruitcake-like essence, anise, nutmeg, and orange, with whispers of rum, coffee, and tobacco, can be served neat, straight up or warmed. It is wonderful as a component of cocktails or long drinks like this one, an Italian egg cream reminiscent of the famous North Dakota oilmen’s drink, the Smith and Curran. But in our house instead of the Smith and Curran’s dark creme de cacao, we use Punch Abruzzo.
I did consider calling this one a Gran Sasso, after the aforementioned mountain, but instead I settled on White Widow, after the wives left behind by husbands who came to America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While some of these men were emigrants, intending to make a permanent life in America, many others were not, preferring instead the life of the migrant worker. With no intention of moving permanently to America, yet unable to find work at home in Italy, or having lost their own land there, they sailed in search of lucrative employment. Known as Birds of Passage, for their many trans-Atlantic voyages back and forth between Italy and America, they built a better life for their families in Italy by coming here and building America – her streets, bridges, subway systems, what today we call “infrastructure.” Barefooted workers stamped the asphalt streets. Masons built churches and public buildings. Artists worked in stone and wood.
Their wives, left alone, often for years, were essentially single parents, waiting patiently while their husbands carved a life far away. They lived as widows would, but in fact were married women whose husbands still lived, and thus they were known as White Widows. With great conviction these women took up the work traditionally performed by their husbands, be it tilling the fields, tending and harvesting the crops for their subsistence lifestyle or working in what ever business, if any, their husbands left behind. To honor these women and their fortitude I decided to name this drink after them.
If you like, you can substitute vodka for the club soda, in which case, and I can hear it now, you will be saying “Adri, that sounds an awful lot like a White Russian from where I’m standing.” To that I say “Well then you must not be standing on Abruzzese soil.” Sure it’s close; Punch Abruzzo and a White Russian’s Kahlua do share flavor notes; however, where Kahlua is predominantly coffee, Punch Abruzzo is a far more sumptuous and complex blend.
How ever you make this drink, with club soda or vodka, or whether you layer the ingredients or serve it already combined, I say “Cin! Cin! And, consider a trip to Abruzzo this summer.
White Widow
makes 2
Serve this one with a soda spoon and a straw.
3 ounces Punch Abruzzo
3 ounces club soda
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon (or to taste) of Vanilla-Orange sugar
OR
1 tablespoon granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ⅛ teaspoon orange extract
nutmeg
cracked ice
Pour the cream into a medium bowl, and add the Vanilla-Orange sugar or sugar and extracts. Beat gently until the cream thickens just slightly. Fill two highball glasses about three quarters full with cracked ice. There are two ways to build this one. For the first, where the components are separate when served, divide the Punch Abruzzo between 2 glasses, then add the club soda (1½ ounces to each glass.) Top each with sweetened cream, and finish with a grating of nutmeg.
Alternately, divide the Punch Abruzzo and the sweetened cream between two ice-filled glasses. Top each with club soda, and stir. Finish with a grating of nutmeg.
You may not use all of the cream, but don’t worry. You will probably want more than one of these.
To make Vanilla-Orange Sugar: place 1 cup of granulated sugar in the workbowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Use a paring knife to split and spread open a vanilla bean. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean using the dull edge of the paring knife, and drop the seeds into the workbowl. Wrap the scraped bean in plastic wrap and save it for another use. Grate the zest of 2 oranges directly into the workbowl of the processor. Grating directly into the workbowl captures all of the oil, and with it the essence of the orange’s bright flavor. Replace the cover, and process until the sugar is extremely finely ground, about 1 minute. Transfer the sugar to an airtight container. This sugar adds tremendous depth of flavor to cocktails and baked goods, especially nut and sugar cookies. It is extremely finely ground, dissolving easily, a plus for cocktails and other drinks. To use it for cookies, simply place some of the sugar in a broad bowl or on a plate, and roll the cookies, still slightly warm from the oven, in the sugar to liberally coat them. Try making flavored sugars with lemon or other citrus and spices such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. The sugar keeps well, and the flavors meld with time.
Punch Abruzzo is available from A Cork Above.
Click here for more on Punch Abruzzo.
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Note: You can click on any picture to see a slide show!
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Monday, March 2nd 2015 at 1:47 am |
Hi Adri — As usual I love all the details in your posts — the pink lipstick on the straw — you can almost imagine the happy woman with the pink lipstick drinking that White Widow. And I love the name White Widow and the story behind it. What courageous women they were. It reminds me a bit of the Widow Walks that we have in the seaside towns in New England — in Gloucester, on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The Widow’s Walks were basically flowerless, roof terraces with a fence around the edge where the wives of whalers would walk back and forth looking out at sea to see if their husbands were coming back or were perhaps lost. The fact that they were called “Widow’s Walks” indicates that many men did not make it back and the women had to shoulder the responsibilities for maintaining the family on their own. Unsung heroines — just like the women in Abruzzo.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 at 12:37 pm |
Hi Trisha,
And we think we have problems! When I think of the lives women used to live, I realize I’ve got nothing to gripe about. I am glad you liked this one, and I had a ball with the lipstick. In fact, I have several tubes of brightly colored lipstick that I purchased just for these liquor posts. My prop box overfloweth. And if you come across a bottle of Punch Abruzzo in Rome, grab it. This stuff will keep you warm when Gustavo is traveling. Cheers!
Monday, March 2nd 2015 at 2:42 pm |
I love finding out about new liqueurs! This is one I’ve never heard of but it sounds absolutely divine!
Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 at 12:40 pm |
Hi Maria,
Oh my, but Italy is an absolute treasure trove of liquor. From sweet to bitter, there are some truly delicious ones. I hope you have an opportunity to try some Punch Abruzzo. I bet you will love it. Thank you for stopping by, and cheers!
Friday, March 13th 2015 at 7:00 am |
Adri, I’m going to have to look for Punch Abruzzo. Your cocktail sounds great…I know my husband would love it.
Monday, March 16th 2015 at 8:43 am |
Hi Karen,
I hope you can find some, and if you have no success in your neighborhood, try A Cork Above in Florida. They always keep it in stock. Cheers!
Saturday, March 14th 2015 at 8:25 am |
The coctail looks great! I’m sure that it tastes great too. Never made a coctail in my life but I certainly will give it a shot! Thanks, Adri!
Monday, March 16th 2015 at 8:44 am |
Hi Anny,
Thank you – this is one luxurious drink. That’s for certain Thank you for stopping by. Cheers!
Monday, March 16th 2015 at 8:14 am |
I recently read a book called Shoemaker’s Wife, which gave a glimpse of this separation that many Italian families had to suffer. While I didn’t really take to the book itself as much, this concept stayed with me, and it does make me sad to think of such families. But their dedication, sacrifice and courage also makes one admire them across time and place. This beautiful drink is a perfect tribute to them. I have never heard of it, but I know I can polish all of it in no time and still ask for more.
Monday, March 16th 2015 at 8:47 am |
Hi Minnie,
I have never heard of the book, but I would like to read it. Thank you for mentioning it. You know, when I think back to how truly difficult life was for these people, what tremendous sacrifices they made, I am really moved. Plus it makes me realize we’ve all got very little to gripe about. I hope all is well with you, and thank you for stopping in and for taking a moment to leave a comment. All the best to you for a terrific new year!
Thursday, March 19th 2015 at 6:21 am |
You’ve got me curious about Punch Abruzzo… a new one for me, but I really like the taste profile as you describe it.
Thursday, March 19th 2015 at 7:07 am |
Hi Frank,
It really is something. Hot or cold, straight or mixed into a cocktail, added to cake batter, over ice cream or as part of the mixture for dipping French toast, this is one remarkable spirit. I hope you can find some near you. Cheers!
Friday, March 20th 2015 at 8:14 am |
Oh wow, I want one of these right now, and I haven’t even had breakfast! Love the name!
Friday, March 20th 2015 at 9:10 am |
Hi Sue,
This one is tasty indeed, and I have to say that Punch Abruzzo does in fact make appearances at breakfast in our home – it is a delightful addition to the batter for French toast! Thank you for stopping in. Cheers!
Thursday, April 9th 2015 at 5:39 am |
I have never heard of this drink but I certainly have heard of Abruzzo a wonderful place with amazing history. I’d love to try a white widow
Thursday, April 9th 2015 at 5:52 pm |
Hi Tania,
This one is really tasty, and you are so right about Abruzzo – it is the green heart of Italy. Cheers!
Thursday, April 23rd 2015 at 8:31 am |
Yum…Double duty dessert. 🙂
Friday, April 24th 2015 at 9:07 am |
Ciao Madonna,
Well said – cheers! And thank you for stopping by.
Friday, May 1st 2015 at 2:49 am |
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Extremely tasty and refreshing ))
Friday, May 1st 2015 at 8:03 pm |
Hi Mark,
It’s my pleasure. This one is terrific! Cheers!
Friday, May 1st 2015 at 9:30 am |
My favourite thing to make in the kitchen!
Friday, May 1st 2015 at 8:04 pm |
Ciao,
Who can resist a creamy cocktail. Cheers!
Friday, May 1st 2015 at 8:26 pm |
What a sweet story about the White Widows and such a good idea to name your drink after them. It sounds so delicious and the fizz from the club soda just adds something special. Yum.
Saturday, May 2nd 2015 at 2:48 pm |
Ciao Lynne,
Can you imagine what life was like for those women? It must have been so difficult. This drink certainly is good, however. Thanks for stopping by, and cheers!
Thursday, June 25th 2015 at 10:36 pm |
Golosissimo il tuo cocktail, perfetto per questo periodo. Complimenti!!!
Sunday, June 28th 2015 at 6:57 am |
Ciao Giovanna,
Cheers!
Saturday, June 27th 2015 at 8:02 am |
I have never tried Punch Abruzzo and Ive never seen it anywhere, although I havent looked for it so… 🙂 I will now and Ill be trying this cocktail with the vodka. Looks delicious and I love the name.
Sunday, June 28th 2015 at 6:59 am |
Benvenuta Julie,
Punch Abruzzo is a uniquely Italian liquor. I hope you have an opportunity to try it. It can be hard to find, but A Cork Above in Florida always has this divine elixir in stock. Thank you so much for stopping by. Cheers!
Monday, July 13th 2015 at 10:52 am |
This looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe. I want to cook it.
Wednesday, August 26th 2015 at 7:05 pm |
This cocktail sounds fantastic and reminds me to beautiful trips we made to the Abruzzos 2 years ago.
Friday, August 28th 2015 at 9:46 am |
Ciao Daniela,
This one is really luscious. I bet your trips to Abruzzo were absolutely wonderful. Thanks for stopping in. Cheers!
Sunday, September 27th 2015 at 4:45 pm |
I must confess Adri, I have not read too many food blogs, but this one might be an exception. Descriptions such as “hearty and delicate, divine pastries and intoxicating deep brown elixir” was in fact craving for some of this wonderful food and drink.
That White Widow drink looks SO absolutely, incredibly inviting. It is a work of art, and I want to try one, and I don’t usually drink…haha!
Amazing story behind the White Widow. In Canada, the Italian tradesmen are renowned for their impeccable stonemason and bricklaying work.
So nice to come over to your blog. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
~Carl~
Monday, September 28th 2015 at 11:04 am |
Benvenuto Carl,
Thank you so much for stopping by, and thank you for the kind words. I am so pleased to hear you have enjoyed what you read. I certainly enjoyed your blog, and I’ll be returning often to see what is new with you. I hope to hear from you again and don’t stop running!
Cin cin,
ABC
Monday, September 28th 2015 at 2:29 pm |
Thank you Adri. You certainly will hear from me again. You are such an encourager! Just noticed your subscribe button, so I can receive your posts on my e-mail. That is a great spot for it.
Have a wonderful week! 🙂
~Carl~
Wednesday, September 30th 2015 at 2:40 pm |
Thank you!
Wednesday, October 7th 2015 at 3:22 am |
I’ve had Abruzzo pasta and it is wonderful! I tried to buy some in Rome before we went home but I couldn’t find the brand that we had. Meanwhile this cocktail looks divine! 😀
Wednesday, October 7th 2015 at 6:30 am |
Ciao Lorraine,
Some of the finest pasta does indeed come from Abruzzo. They grow some magnificent wheat, and the water is pure and clean. And as for the cocktail, I say cheers!