I have neglected to post here for a few weeks. But no fear, I have been drinking, and the photos and text will come soon. But for now, the first time, I reveal a new cocktail. "Il Novecento"! Yes, you get to see this first and foremost, even before it gets into cocktail books or Wikipedia.

Recipe: 1 part Frangelico, 1 part Amaretto, 1 part Vermouth Rosso, 3 parts Chinotto, stirred, strained through ice, layer with 1 tspn of Galliano Autentico, garnish with blood orange.

Variation: Even more bitterness and strength? Substitute Vermouth Rosso with Campari.

Taste: The first time I experimented with this I didn't include the Chinotto, which made it a little too strong and a little too sweet. Nevertheless, the interplay between almonds and hazelnuts was there with a dash of the vanilla. So I ended up using the rest for the syrup of an almond cake which I had just made, which really worked well. So you can have an unmixed version for cakes, and a mixed version for drinks.

Story and Taste: This is inspired by the epic historical drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci 'Novecento' ("Twentieth Century") with an incredible line-up of (*take a deep breath*) Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.

It's basically a story of a peasant and a landowner who are both born on Jan 1st, 1900 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy and someone remain somewhat antagonist friends throughout their life, which involves the First World War, the rise of fascism, the Second World War, and concludes with the partisan victory, of sorts. At a commercially-impossible 317 minutes, it is nevertheless widely endorsed by critics for the powerful characterisation (Donald Sutherland makes an astoundingly impressive fascist), earthy realism (Émile Zola would have given a nod of approval), and narrative.

Anyway, true to the subject matter of this film this drink is red and a little bitter, rather like its inventor. Avanti popolo!

Quote: (Ada Fiastri Paulhan) "I know why you don't want me to drink. It's because when I drink it gives me the call to tell you the truth! You are different, you have changed. You are surrounded by terrible, vulgar, arrogant bullies, murderers... and you are even worse than they are!"