Damn Tasty.
- Why we make it
- In the late 80's. Alessandro Francoli decided that traditional sambuca with its harsh, burning aftertaste was no friend of the drinker. So he set about making one which was smoother, tastier, with a lighter flavour and above all, not a throat arsonist.
By looking at the usual recipes and playing with the ingredients a bit, and then adding some significant touches of his own - not least using elderberry skins to give a unique, rich black colour - Opal Nera, the original black sambuca, was born.
- How we make it
- Opal Nera is a blend of various distilled ingredients which we prepare from scratch, using fresh products (yes, that's right, rather than siphon from huge tanks of various flavourings, we actually take stuff and make distillates from it - innovative isn't it?) So we blend distillates of green anise, star anise, elderflowers, elderberries, coriander and lemon peel (along with a few secret little treats) with neutral alcohol from beet, for a more natural sweetness. And for a final flourish, we infuse the whole thing with elderberry skins to give Opal Nera its distinctive, rich purple-black colour. The result is what we like to call "damn tasty".
- Black Love
- Opal Nera was launched in Australia and within two years won back-to-back "Product of the year" awards there. It remains a massively popular brand down under with a huge cult following among bartenders and drinkers alike. This success has spread around the world with the "Black Love" now available in bars and clubs in over 30 countries.
- Opal Nera recipes
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- Opal 'n' Cola
- Drink Name:
- 50ml Opal Nera
15ml fresh lemon juice
Cola to fill
- Ingredients:
- Collins
- Glass:
- Lemon wedge
- Garnish:
- Build all ingredients over ice in a Collins glass.
- Method:
- A great aperitif
- Misc:
- Purple Flirt
- Drink Name:
- 30ml Opal Nera
45ml Vodka
60ml Cranberry juice
- Ingredients:
- Martini
- Glass:
-
- Garnish:
- Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into martini glass.
- Method:
-
- Misc:
- Molotov Cocktail
- Drink Name:
- 15ml Opal Nera
35ml Vodka
35ml Parfait Amour
15ml fresh lemon juice
- Ingredients:
- Martini
- Glass:
-
- Garnish:
- Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into martini glass.
- Method:
- Created at Revolution bar, Clapham, London.
- Misc:
- Liquid Black Jacks
- Drink Name:
- 30ml Opal Nera
15ml fresh lemon juice
- Ingredients:
- Shot
- Glass:
-
- Garnish:
- Pour into shot glass, enjoy!
- Method:
- Very popular in Scotland - thanks Bruce!
- Misc:
- Purple Rain
- Drink Name:
- 30ml Vodka
20ml Opal Nera
20ml Creme de cassis
Barspoon raspberry puree
Dash fresh lemon juice
- Ingredients:
- Martini
- Glass:
- Raspberry on cocktail stick if desired
- Garnish:
- Shake all ingredients over ice and fine strain into martini glass.
- Method:
- Created by Andreea Biji in Dublin for an Opal Nera event in October 2007.
- Misc:
- Opal Mojito
- Drink Name:
- 40ml Opal Nera
20ml Lemon juice
8-10 mint leaves
Dash soda water
- Ingredients:
- Collins
- Glass:
- Mint leaves
- Garnish:
- Muddle lemon juice with mint leaves, add Opal Nera then top with crushed ice. Stir well with bar spoon and add a dash of soda to give fizz. Garnish and serve
- Method:
- Created by Paul Van Heerden, T Bar, London
- Misc:
- Opal Bianca
- The success of Opal Nera lead to the creation of a sister brand, Opal Bianca. A more traditional sambuca brand in terms of flavour and colour, Opal Bianca nonetheless shares Nera's exceptionally smooth delivery and finish.