Luxardo Del Santo Liqueur 750ML

Luxardo Del Santo Liqueur 750ML is an Italian alpine herbal liqueur bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format, built on a secret recipe of more than 20 botanicals. What distinguishes this expression is its inclusion of achillea moscata, a rare Alpine flower that grows only above 6,500 feet in elevation, lending a distinctive aromatic profile that sets it apart from other herbal liqueurs on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Torreglia, Veneto, Italy  |  Alpine Herbal Liqueur  |  Distillery: Luxardo

Production & Heritage

Luxardo, founded in 1821 in Zara (now Zadar, Croatia) and later relocated to Torreglia in the Veneto region following World War II, is best known for its Maraschino liqueur but has long produced a range of Italian spirits and liqueurs. Del Santo is made by macerating and distilling a blend of over 20 botanicals — including alpine herbs, roots, and spices such as mace, galanga, cinnamon, carnation, and aromatic calamus — before the distillates are blended, rested, and bottled. The inclusion of achillea moscata, a high-altitude Alpine flower once used by Roman soldiers to treat battlefield wounds, anchors the recipe in centuries of alpine botanical tradition and gives the liqueur its signature herbal backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with savory herbaceousness — thyme, sage, and anise — before shifting into floral territory with mint and alpine freshness. Deeper inhalation reveals vanilla, potpourri, dried grasses, and heather, offering an almost pastoral complexity alongside warm spice.

Taste: The entry is initially sweet, with honey and citrus peel creating an accessible opening. The mid-palate transitions quickly into complex bitter herbs and spices, where gentian root, wormwood, and licorice emerge with rooty depth. A silky texture carries these flavors evenly across the palate, balancing the bittersweetness without letting either side dominate.

Finish: Long and warming, with spice and herbal complexity that persists well after the sip. The lingering notes circle back to the alpine herbs and gentle bitterness, inviting another taste.

How to Drink Del Santo

Del Santo rewards neat sipping, ideally at cool room temperature, where the full spectrum of its 20-plus botanicals can express themselves without dilution. A single large ice cube tames the initial sweetness and lets the bitter herbs sharpen into focus. In cocktails, its versatility is notable: try it in a Last Word as a substitute for Green Chartreuse, where its gentian root and alpine herbs create a drier, more savory variation; in a Naked and Famous, where the bittersweetness plays against mezcal's smoke; or in a simple Alpine Spritz with prosecco and a splash of soda, letting the floral and herbal aromatics carry the drink.

Best For

• Home bartenders expanding their herbal liqueur collection beyond Chartreuse
• After-dinner digestif service following rich Italian or French cuisine
• Gifting to a spirits enthusiast who appreciates botanical complexity
• Cocktail exploration nights focused on classic herbal liqueur recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Del Santo taste like? Del Santo opens sweet with honey and citrus peel, then transitions into complex bitter herbs — gentian root, wormwood, and licorice — balanced by a silky texture and a long, warming, spice-driven finish.

How does Del Santo compare to Green Chartreuse? Both are high-proof herbal liqueurs built on complex multi-botanical recipes, but Del Santo leans toward drier, rootier bitterness with prominent gentian and alpine herb character, while Green Chartreuse is generally sweeter with a more pronounced menthol and vegetal quality at a higher 55% ABV. Del Santo's 40% ABV also makes it more approachable neat and easier to balance in cocktails.

Is Del Santo good for cocktails? Del Santo works exceptionally well in cocktails that call for herbal liqueurs, particularly recipes like the Last Word or Naked and Famous, where its balanced bittersweetness and complex botanical profile add depth without overwhelming other ingredients.

Where is Del Santo made? Del Santo is produced at the Luxardo distillery in Torreglia, located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, where the company has operated since relocating from Zara after World War II.

What foods pair well with Del Santo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the liqueur's bittersweet herbal notes; aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano match its rooty depth; charcuterie and cured meats echo its savory spice character; and honey-drizzled ricotta or panna cotta balances the bittersweetness with clean dairy richness.

What sizes does Del Santo come in? Del Santo is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Del Santo worth the price? Del Santo positions as a premium herbal liqueur within the Luxardo portfolio, and its complex recipe of over 20 botanicals — including the rare high-altitude achillea moscata — places it in competitive value territory against other artisanal alpine liqueurs in its category.

Why Del Santo?

The rare inclusion of achillea moscata, harvested at elevations above 6,500 feet, gives Del Santo a botanical foundation few competitors can replicate. Luxardo's two centuries of distilling expertise — dating to 1821 — ensure technical precision in maceration and distillation across all 20-plus botanicals. At 40% ABV, it bridges the gap between lower-proof amari and higher-proof monastery-style liqueurs like Chartreuse, occupying a versatile middle ground for both sipping and mixing. For anyone serious about herbal liqueurs, this is a genuinely distinctive bottle from one of Italy's most storied distilleries.