Last week, I ventured out with some colleagues for drinks after work while Sean was at a client dinner. We ended up at Cantina, a Latin-themed lounge somewhere between the Union Square and Nob Hill neighborhoods of San Francisco. We walked in and the culinary cocktail lounge just happened to be hosting an event to promote Averna, an Italian liqueur made of herbs, roots and citrus rinds. We sure lucked out because along with complimentary drink menu, there was a table of appetizers. In conjunction with the promotional menu, there was a cocktail contest, featuring “mixologists” from the area, with judges and all!

I find the story behind Averna an interesting one. Apparently, the liqueur is as much part of Italians’ daily lifestyle as wine, pasta or espresso. Founded by Salvatore Averna, the company Fratelli Averna was established in 1868 and still to this day remains in the hands of the Averna family. Averna can be served chilled, on the rocks or as a mixer in an aperitif. I selected the Midnight Smash as my cocktail of choice for the evening, which was served in a highball glass and made up of muddled blackberries, Meyer lemon juice, orange-flavored liqueur, ice and last but not least, Averna. It was delicious and interesting at the same time. At first sip, I wasn’t very pleased but it grew on me. I think it was because the Averna reminded me of Campari, which I’m not crazy about.

Next time in your in the market for a cocktail,  venture out of the norm and try something with Averna.