ABOUT:

Antica Formula is a stand out Vermouth thanks to its unique bouquet and its unmistakable vanilla notes.

First invented in 1786 in Turin by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, it has survived in its original inimitable recipe thanks to the love and the skill of the Fratelli Branca Distillerie which, with its motto “Novare Serbando”, has been able to preserve the product’s original qualities and characteristics.

Antica Formula is produced using white wines that are selected from Italian grape varieties from the Romagna, Puglia and Sicily regions, which are processed within 24 hours of receiving to prevent oxidation.

These wines have a medium alcoholic strength that, in combination with the special production processes, bring out the flavours of the spices, herbs and roots that make up the secret recipe.

Within that secret recipe are a plethora of botanical ingredients.

As well as a host of herbal and aromatic botanicals Vanilla is used, garnered from the tropical regions of Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti.

There's Saffron from the plateau areas in Iran, this is known for its antioxidant properties and for being a precious and very expensive spice, in fact, the stigma of around 150,000 flowers must be picked by hand to obtain one kilogram of saffron.

The Wormwood used is harvested exclusively from the Alps of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.

Under current regulations, Vermouth, in order to be considered as such, must contain absinthe as an ingredient, a situation which actually has an historical basis. Antonio Benedetto Carpano, the inventor of Vermouth, gave a great deal of importance to this raw material in his recipe. 

Burnt sugar is used as a natural compound that, in addition to the product’s botanical ingredients, draws the many flavours of Antica Formula together thanks to its characteristic aromaticity. burnt sugar is produced by heating sugar on its own, without any additives and under controlled conditions.

The numerous aromatic plants that go into the recipe of Antica Formula are extracted by hot infusion or cold extraction methods handed down through the centuries.

These methods, along with the recipe itself, constitute the secret of this product. The process is extremely precise and lengthy (some of the botanical ingredients require months of processing).

Once the various plants and herbs have been put together, they undergo a refining stage which can last for several months. This enables them to blend together properly and release all their fragrance and aromatics intensity.

The old and original Carpano recipe combines the traditions of the historic Turin company with the centuries-old skill of Branca in the selection, composition and processing of the raw materials: the high level of technological innovation applied in the production process respects traditional methods of production, infusion and extraction.

Still today, in keeping with the Carpano tradition, there are only three people who share the secret behind the production and recipe of this product, one of these being the President of Fratelli Branca Distillerie himself, Niccolò Branca.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE

A bouquet of vanilla with spice, citrusy, with dried fruit notes of almond, raisins and cloves.

PALATE

Well-rounded, rich vanilla picks up the aromas from the nose, combining well with the bitter orange, dates, dark fruit, cocoa beans and saffron flavours.

PERFECT SERVE

The Americano 

Ingredients:

• 30ml Antica Formula
• 30ml Bitter (Campari)
• Top Soda
• 1 orange slice
• ice

Fill a tumbler glass with ice. Pour the ingredients and add a splash of soda water. Stir delicately with a spoon, garnishing with an orange slice.