Varnelli Punch Alla Fiamma 1L

In most Italian mountain cultures, people concoct "punches", which are distillations with herb, spice, and fruit infusions that are served hot as a winter beverage, usually after dinner, but, really for any cold-weather occasion that calls for warming the bones while acting as a salve to the digestive system (Hey, it is Italy after all -- the stomach always has to figure in somewhere). Varnelli produces a number of "punches". Its Punch Fantasia has a base of Martinique rhum agricole infused with a secret recipe of spices and herbs. On the palate, you're getting coffee, caramel, hazelnuts, raisin, and smokiness. Italians drink it neat and hot usually, but they also don't mind icing it in the summer, which gives it a whole different dimension, or they add it to a coffee cocktail called La Moretta to give the cocktail an extra, spice-driven pizazz. We actually suggest that you try it with cocktails involving agave spirits, i.e., tequila and mezcal.