As I sink further into middle age I have discovered an ever increasing fascination with liqueurs, the sillier the better (if I still lived in England I’d probably be sipping sherry).

 

We make our own Sloe gin and Finocchietto (discovered on a recent trip to Puglia) and Rudy, Andrea’s dad, keeps us topped up with Limoncino and Norcino (made from walnut husks, and not for the faint hearted). Added to that is the work of the Vernelli brothers. Based in Muccia, about 15 minutes drive away, I imagine most of their meetings are of the theme ‘what shall we pickle in alcohol next’ and ‘what is the silliest name we can give it’. I am a great admirer of all their work. If they were musicians I would have all their albums. Their greatest work must be ‘Skipass’.

 

I originally bought it as a joke, because that is one silly name, but it has proved popular ever since. Thick and chocolatey it is half way between liqueur and pudding.

Then Tina arrived, expublican .

‘Yes,’ said Tina ‘it’s good, but I bet it would be even better with a dash of that’, pointing at Arancio, an orange liqueur from Ancona. She was right, it was divine. The next night Tina sips her orangified chocolate

‘Yes,’ said Tina ‘it’s good, but I bet it would be even better with a layer of fresh cream’. So the next day in comes the cream, floated on top – magic.

‘Yes,’ said Tina ‘it’s good, but I bet it would be even better with a few shavings of bitter chocolate on top. Next day we go to Crystal, purveyors of all things chocolately in Camerino, and a few shavings of 90% chocolate were put on top.

‘Ahh’ said Tina. Absolute heaven and so the Gorgiano Black Run was born.

Imagine a Terries chocolate orange in a glass – except, of course, it’s not Terry’s, it’s mine.

 

…. or victim of her own success?