ITALIAN EXCELLENCE

Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Established by Dominican friars shortly after their arrival in Florence in 1221, the pharmacy used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic garden to make medications, ointments and balms for their convent’s small infirmary. Today, Santa Maria Novella still uses only natural raw materials and follows ancient procedures to make its products, including its range of seven liqueurs. Used for their invigorating, digestive and appetiteenhancing properties, the collection of liqueurs is produced in the laboratory-cellar on Via Reginaldo Giuliani in Florence, following formulas written in ancient manuscripts handed down through the centuries. The Balsamite plant (costmary) is used in many of Santa Maria Novella’s products and ancient recipes, and is central to the pharmacy’s tradition. This medicinal plant – cultivated by the Dominican monks in the 13th Century – still grows today in the Giardino di Santa Maria Novella. The liqueur Elisir di Rose (RRP $100) is made with rosa gallica syrup, whose petals are known to have digestive and restorative properties. The elixir can be used in a variety of ways; to flavour fruit salads, sorbets and ice-creams, or in hot or iced teas. It is excellent as an aperitif served with dry white wine, sparkling wine or rum. smnovella.com