Bianca Miraglia is the founder and creator of Uncouth Vermouth while Adam Ford is the created of Atsby Vermouth. They are both local vermouth makers and they came together to create a brand new bitter aperitivo that they call Uccelli.
This completely blue bitter can be found on bar shelves across the city. Bartenders at some of the best craft cocktail bars are experimenting with this new product to create exciting and vibrant new drinks. It's the kind of collaboration and innovation that we discuss on our Craft Cocktail Tour.
The What:
Bitter Apertivos have existed for centuries. They are usually consumed before dinner (especially in places like France and Italy) to get the appetite going. Here in the US, most of these bitters like Campari, Cynar, or Aperol are used as an ingredient in cocktails. But bars like Amor y Amargo have put those bitters front and center.
Bianca and Adam wanted to create a brand new apertivo that is unique to New York and the likes of which have never been seen before. So the most striking part about Uccelli is the fact that it is bright blue. Unlike any other blue spirit or liqueur on the market which is made from dyes or colorings, this unusual color comes from all natural ingredients - a blend of secret herbs and roots.
Uccelli has a very unique herbal, minty, and intensely floral flavor. For those that like to sip on strong drinks, it is great on its own, but is also excellent mixed with a little bit of sparkling wine, or incorporated into a cocktail like a negroni, spritz, or something brand new.
You can get a bottle at many local boutique spirit shops around the city, including our favorite Astor Wine and Spirits (which is also a stop on our Craft Cocktail tour).
The Why:
Uccelli is super exciting - a brand new product for craft bartenders to play with and create an experience that has never existed before. It's this kind of skill and creativity that makes us want to keep drinking and to support the local distillers that might be inspired by elsewhere (in this case, Italy) but create something unique to here and now.
The Where:
Uccelli Bitter Apertivo is available at local shops like:
Astor Wine & Spirits
Sea Gape Wine Shop
Bibber & Bell
Union Square Wines
Warehouse Wines & Spirits