Vespetrò facts for kids
Vespetrò is a special flavored drink from Canzo, a town in Lombardy, Italy. It's a type of liqueur made using different spices and plants that have been used for medicine. You can find it sold under the name Vespetrò Scannagatta. Some families in Canzo also make their own versions at home, passing down their secret recipes from parents to children over many years.
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A Look Back: The Story of Vespetrò
How Old Is Vespetrò?
The recipe for Vespetrò first came from the Savoy region. People in Canzo have known about this drink since at least the 1700s. Visitors to the town really enjoyed it and thought it was a unique local specialty.
The Scannagatta Family's Special Touch
In the 1800s, a Canzese pharmacist named Scannagatta made the traditional recipe even better. He officially protected his improved recipe with a patent, which meant he had the exclusive right to make and sell it. He then started selling it as Vespetrò Scannagatta.
This brand was even recognized at the 1900 Paris World's fair, which was a very big event. Tourists visiting Canzo in the 1900s loved the drink, which came in a tall, yellow bottle.
The company stopped selling Vespetrò for a while between 1992 and 2007, but then they started selling it again. The exact recipe that Scannagatta used is still a secret. Also, each family in Canzo that makes Vespetrò keeps their own version of the recipe private. They might have small differences in how they make it or in the amount of each ingredient they use.
What Does Vespetrò Taste Like?
Vespetrò tastes sweet and has a flavor similar to anise, which is a spice often used in licorice. It is a strong drink, with about 40% alcohol.
