Luxardo

Luxardo is an Italian company best known for its Maraschino cherries and liqueurs. The company was founded in 1821 by Girolamo Luxardo, an Italian consul in the region of Zadar, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. Today, Luxardo is one of the oldest family-owned companies in Europe, with a rich history that spans over two centuries.

History[edit | edit source]

The Luxardo company was established when Girolamo Luxardo's wife, Maria Canevari, started perfecting "Maraschino", a liqueur produced in Dalmatian convents since medieval times from Marasca cherries. The liqueur was so well received that Girolamo established a distillery in 1821 to produce it on a larger scale.

In 1913, the company built a new distillery in Torreglia, in the Veneto region of Italy, where it remains to this day. During World War II, the Luxardo distillery was almost completely destroyed, but it was rebuilt and continues to produce a wide range of liqueurs and spirits.

Products[edit | edit source]

Luxardo's flagship product is its Maraschino liqueur, a clear, relatively dry liqueur made from the distillation of Marasca cherries. The cherries are harvested from Luxardo's own orchards and the solid components are then infused in larchwood vats for three years.

In addition to Maraschino, Luxardo produces a variety of other liqueurs, including Sambuca, Amaretto, and Limoncello, as well as a line of premium gourmet Maraschino cherries. These cherries are candied and steeped in a syrup made of cherry juice and sugar, and are a popular garnish for cocktails.

Recognition[edit | edit source]

Luxardo's products have received numerous awards and recognition for their quality. The company's Maraschino liqueur has been awarded the Superior Taste Award by the International Taste & Quality Institute, and its cherries are considered by many bartenders to be the best cocktail cherries available.