She has been experimenting with spirited liquids since she was 19. Now, having reached twice that age, Elena Limongelli has achieved her goal: to have a place of her own, where she can best express the talent honed over many years of work. She never had any doubts about the name: Liquidi Su Misura has always been her brand. Her career began in Modena, then from 2017 she delighted the people of Reggio with cocktails and spirits from behind the bar at Groucho. Then came the big leap. She could have opened in a major Italian or international metropolis – or at least in the centre of a provincial city – and instead…
Elena created a large cocktail bar in a farmhouse in the hills, surrounded by greenery, enjoyable both inside the old stone walls and outside, on a terrace where you can soak up the surrounding landscape (and above all a splendid sunset) among woods, vineyards and cultivated fields. Here we are then at Lisandret, a property completely renovated by the municipal administration of Albinea, about twelve kilometres from the centre of Reggio Emilia. But it’s not just about drinks here. In the farmhouse there are several rooms for overnight stays, a true Bed & Breakfast called Casa Emilia, also owned by the young barlady. Next door, but run separately, there is still the historic Trattoria Lisandret.
What to drink at Liquidi Su Misura
There is no doubt that the territory makes its presence felt, and the drink Casa Emilia, dedicated precisely to the B&B, proves it. It is a sort of Negroni Sbagliato, where in addition to Campari (in this case raspberry-flavoured), there is a rice distillate and a Lambrusco Rosé from the Reggio Emilia area. There is the bitter note, the softness of the rice distillate and the freshness of Lambrusco, creating a textbook harmony. Lambrusco also features in the Velluto, an enveloping drink made with Vermouth from Grasparossa di Castelvetro, radicchio bitter, rhubarb and popcorn velvet. There is also room for more exotic drinks, such as the Placido with spiced rum, citrus and Tio Pepe, or El Gusano with Mezcal, kiwi, citron water – extremely fresh and highly drinkable. And to eat? Tasty and unexpected snacks, selected cured meats and cheeses, and of course erbazzone, which is an absolute must in these parts.
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