Alright, listen up ladies and gentlemen there is an announcement to be made. We had an incredibly fun night at the Ambra Liqueur Spring Fling which features a masterclass that you and your friends can book on specific Friday evenings. Get some hands-on learning on how to make some cocktails with an experienced bartender then they offer nibbles to accompany your homemade cocktails. With the warmer weather approaching it is very nice to sit back and relax in the tranquil Spritz Garden that they have outside. They also take you on a brief tour of the place and show you where the magic is made.

Ambra (pronounced ‘Umbra’ like an umbrella) stars 100% authentic Italian family recipe which has been handed down over generations before making it in the hands of Nando Focareta and Peppe Fusco. They are evolving and creating more and more flavours in their range. Now boasting eight flavours including; Limoncello, Blood Orange, Orange (which is sweeter) and Tangelo. They are fruit-based liqueur with 25% alcohol. They also have Almond Liqueur, also with 25% alcohol, which I personally want to get next. The rest are their three main cream liqueur products; Chocolate Orange Liqueur which is great paired with their Orange Liqueur and if you like the taste of Jaffa, this one is definitely for you. Then there is Limoncello Cream perfectly paired with their Limoncello Liqueur and perhaps top with milk to create silky delicious creamy cocktail and last but not least, their hero, the Cappuccino Liqueur, made with the same process but instead of fruit, they use coffee beans, all the creamy liqueurs contain 18% alcohol level. Are you impressed yet? Their range really gave me butterflies in my stomach as I got way too excited wanting to try them all. Ambra won my heart when they informed us that they are about being all local, using local fresh produce such as lemons and blood oranges that come from the River land & Adelaide Hills. Even their grape spirit is originally from the Barossa Valley. All local and all-natural, no preservatives whatsoever. Now that’s saying something, right? It’s epic!

With a very interesting concept of using the lemon skins (lots and lots of it) for their limoncello flavour liqueur, Ambra wants their fruits to be absolutely pure, straight from the tree to their factory, so to keep their standard high. They peel them with their special machinery before sending the lemon flesh to a juicing company for quality juice so they are not wasted. Nando explained that they now put their lemon peels or what they like to call, the “lemon spaghetti” in a stainless steel basket to be infused with their 96% Barossa Valley spirit. Afterwards, they transfer it to their infusion tank that holds 3000 litres, this way they can keep them while lemons are out of season! Clever isn’t it! However, the process doesn’t stop there. They keep having to test and make sure it is to consistency and standard. Once they are happy with their products they now put it in their signature bottles which they like to call “the genie bottles”. With the bright vibrant colours, these beauties are easily caught in the eye of the beholder. Once you taste their ‘Lime Blush’ and ‘Ambra Spritz’ cocktails, you really can’t stop at one.

Did you know that Ambra also offers their ‘Sophia’ for hire? Sophia is Adelaide’s beloved first mobile spritz bar. It is a 3 wheeled Italian Piaggio which has been dressed with their unique and colourful signature colours (teal and yellow) that can serve your drinks anywhere your heart desires. Are you thinking about a birthday? A wedding? A bridal shower… You name it! Tailored to your needs they will come up with drink packages and fabulous photo props to make your event more memorable.

Ambra is now also available at Dan Murphy and Liquorland. They open their cellar door at Thebarton from Wednesday to Friday 9am-5pm and their Spritz Bar with a masterclass from 5pm till late on specific Fridays. Check out their website for more details.

I know what I am going to do now. I am going to buy a cocktail shaker and practice my shake. With a take-home pamphlet guide on how to make their fancy cocktails, and seeing how easy they are, I cannot wait to invite my friends over and show off my new skills!

Words by Dee Pene from Adelaide Food Authority

WHERE: 43 Philip St, Thebarton