One of the most iconic Italian liqueur and original cherry producers is enhancing its product development by entering the canned cocktail market. Founded in 1821 by Girolamo Luxardo, the company is still family-owned and operated.

To kick off these cocktails debuting in the United States, export director and 7th generation family member Matteo Luxardo, collaborated with Lindsay Kinder of FOOD LA LA, a cooking club. She is a pro at teaching people that cooking is fun and not something to be afraid of while in the kitchen. Her pledge is every recipe she shares, will work, and offers fun facts and easy tips to make meals, parties and events fabulous.

Together they assembled a picnic box filled with FOOD LA LA products and ingredients along with three new Luxardo canned cocktails. Inside were FOOD LA LA recipe cards for antipasto skewers to enjoy with a can of Bianco Spritz; fig, olive & rosemary tapenade to sip slowly with Sour Cherry Gin & Tonic; and a step by step guide to making chocolate espresso-dipped candied oranges to enjoy with an Aperitivo Spritz.

For those who love sipping Aperol Spritz, Luxardo's Apertivo Spritz offers that same refreshingly sweet taste with a slightly bitter orange zest zip in a chilled can.

Even though Kinder's recipe recommended sipping this with a chocolate and orange Sorprese Dolci, Matteo Luxardo said in a ZOOM presentation that this cocktail is also a wonderful beginning to a picnic or meal. He believes the orange zest prepares your mouth to water in anticipation for a meal moving forward. 

The Sorprese (surprise) Dolci (sweets) recipe had the following ingredients:

1/3 cup of melted dark chocolate

3 grams of espresso powder mix

5 candied orange wheels

a pinch of her FOOD LA LA seasoning mix

Steps to make this include lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, stir melting chocolate over medium-low heat, add and stir espresso powder to melted chocolate, and dip slices in chocolate mixture. Transfer to baking sheet, top with FOOD LA LA seasoning and cool.

The Luxardo Bitter Bianco Spritz is a refreshingly clear and lighter twist on the classic. It's made with Bitter Bianco sparkling water and natural flavors. There is a touch of grapefruit zest and sweetness, ending with a pleasing slightly bitter finish.

This canned cocktail went well with antipasto skewers made with the following items in the picnic box:

6 fancy bamboo skewers

1/3 cup pitted olives, cut in half lengthwise

3.75 oz. artichoke hearts

4 oz. prosciutto cut into thin strips

1 clementine segment wrapped with prosciutto strip

8 oz. cube smoked gouda.

I thread ingredients onto the pointed end of the skewer noticing the different appealing colors and textures. Next, I drizzled the skewers with the brine from the jar of artichoke hearts.

Fun Fact: If you soak skewers first, it helps prevent splintering.

I gathered all of the ingredients for the Fig & Olive Tapenade recipe to pair with Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin & Tonic Italiano Style. Following the recipe I measured, minced and spread this tapenade on crackers for an easy and delicious appetizer. Here's how I made it:

1/3 cup dried figs

1/2 cup of pitted olives (kalamata and green)

1/2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced

1 TBS olive oil

1/2 TBS balsamic vinegar

Tuscan crackers

Steps:

1. Combine the figs and olives in the food processor and pulse. Finely mince if you don't have a food processor.

2. Add rosemary, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar to the mixture and process or mince to make a thinner consistency. Add more olive oil.

3. Spread on the crackers, top with minced rosemary and crack open a chilled Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin & Tonic.

This sparkling cocktail offers tasting notes of vibrant rich cherry and juniper with a sweet finish.

Luxardo Canned Cocktails are available at Total Wine & More.