Via Marina Bosco, Fano, Italy


Via Marina Bosco, Fano, Italy
On a cloudy afternoon, three friends sit at Epistrophy’s communal table. They order three espressos and one glass of Sambuca. The other patrons observe them, as they pour three quarters of the Sambuca glass in the three cups. They just prepared an espresso “corretto” (enhanced).
Sambuca, an Italian liqueur made from elderberries, is sweet and with a licorice aftertaste. It blends perfectly with a good coffee, like the one you can enjoy at Epistrophy.
The espresso “corretto” does not last very long. The remaining Sambuca glass is poured in the empty cups. What a better way to clean them? The proportions are now inverted. It is time to enjoy Sambuca with a hint of a coffee. Drink it slowly: the liqueur is strong, it is raining outside and Nolita looks beautiful from here.
Via Nazario Sauro 20, Fano, Italy
In Fano (Italy), there is a bar where the fishermen used to meet before starting their working day. In this part of Italy, winter days can be cold, foggy and extremely humid. Starting to work at 3am in the morning, the fishermen need to stay awake and warm for long hours. Here is where “moretta” comes into play. In a small glass, a layer of a “secret” alcoholic mix (cognac, rum, anisette… no one will ever tell you the exact recipe) is heated with the steam of the espresso machine. One shot of espresso and a small piece of lemon skin complete the masterpiece. Moretta is the quintessential digestive coffee, a true delight for every occasion (you don’t need to wake up at 3am in the morning to truly enjoy it).