Tessora Limone: Italian Liqueur from the 614

Written by on April 6, 2011 in Liquor - 7 Comments

I heard someone describe it as a Girl Scout Lemon Chalet Creme cookie liquefied. I haven’t yet tried Columbus’ latest liqueur, but if that’s the case, sign me up for five boxes – err, bottles.

Tessora, Italian for “treasure,” is the latest addition to the Cbus spirits scene, made in New Albany. It’s a digestif by classification, that is, an alcoholic beverage traditionally served at the end of a meal that is meant to help one digest his/her meal.

“We produce Tessora Limone with all natural ingredients, and it is made by hand,” said Lynda Vergits, co-owner of Veriano Fine Foods & Spirits, Ltd., the makers of Tessora. “The recipe itself is over 200 years old, created in the Abruzzo region of Italy, and it has been kept secret in our family through many generations. The flavor is unlike anything we’ve ever tried, either here or in Italy.”

Vergists says that she and her husband, who co-owns Veriano, did not have a professional background in the industry. “Manufacturing a liqueur wasn’t something that we had ever considered before. We knew this recipe was in our family, and we knew that it was so different from anything on the market,” says Vertgis. “It was a leap of faith to invest the time and energy into the spirits business because we had to start from the beginning with state and federal regulations and familiarizing ourselves with those, but it wasn’t such a frightening prospect when we considered the mass appeal we were certain that Tessora would have. We also felt that the environment in Columbus was right, in that there is great support for local business, and a nice culinary and cultural following.”

Vertgis describes Tessora as “as a soft lemon flavor… refreshing, sophisticated and smooth, with a light and creamy texture. It is sweet, yet it’s quite balanced in flavor and in the alcoholic content.” She says straight out of the freezer is the ideal way to enjoy it, but she shared a cocktail recipe created by Cris Dehlavi from M Restaurant and Bar that caught my tastebuds: 1 oz. Tessora Limone, 1 oz. Tanqueray Gin, .25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice and .25 Simple Syrup. They call it “La Dolce Vita.” I call it, “Yes, please.”

As a ‘digestif,’ it’s perfect to accompany dessert. “It is delicious over fresh berries, ice cream and cake, or incorporated into virtually any dessert offering,” adds Vertgis. “It works very well with fruit and nut flavors and is irresistible with chocolate and coffee flavors.”

If you’re hoping for more from Veriano, you’re in luck. “We are already getting feedback as to which of our recipes should be launched next,” says Vertgis. “We have a great ‘focus group’ in the amazing chefs, bartenders and consumers who have tried Tessora. Also,we intend to make Tessora available nationally, and we are excited about that process.”

Veriano Fine Foods and Spirits is the latest addition to the growing distillery community in Columbus, something that Vergits thinks is hindered by the time and money required to meet the licensing process in Ohio. “We’re lucky to have three distilleries in central Ohio – that is an impressive number for a city of any size,” Vergits adds. “When you consider the area’s history as a test market for new products, you see that we are a population open to new ideas. We hope to see others bring new and exciting spirits to market here, and show that central Ohio is a great place to do business.”

Tessora is currently served or sold in over 60 locations in Central Ohio, from country clubs and gourmet markets to nightclubs and restaurants. It retails for around $35 a bottle.

By The Bottle: The Hill’s Market, Huffman’s Market, Weiland’s Gourmet Market, Vincenzo’s Italian Cuisine, Carfagna’s, Gentile’s The Wine Sellers, Europia Wine + Spirits, The Twisted Vine

Behind the Bar: Tucci’s California Bistro, Mezzo Italian Kitchen, Mia Cucina, La Scala, Polaris Grill, Donerick’s Pub, Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Gresso’s Pub and Grill, Cibo, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Worthington Inn, Barley’s Brewing Company, Park Street Tavern, Giorgio Italian Restaurant, Callahan’s, Mozaik Modern Lounge + Tapas, Adobe Gilas, Pub Polaris, Park Street Saloon, Scali Ristorante, Knead, Gallo’s Kitchen & Bar, Martino’s Sports Bar & Grill, Alana’s Food & Wine, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Smith & Wollensky Easton, The Wine Bistro Lane Avenue, Black Creek Bistro, Pasqualone’s La Plaia, Press Grill, Liberty Tavern, The Clarmont, Hamptons Bar & Grille on King, Worthington Hills Country Club, Salvi’s Bistro Dublin, Greek Corner, Mynt Ultralounge, Latitude 41/Bar 41, Old Bag of Nails Pub Hilliard, Bodega, Caffe DaVinci, Local Roots, Old Bag of Nails Pub UA, Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria, Basi Italia, UA Pub, The Wine Bistro High Street, Old Bag of Nails Marysville, Easy Street Café Powell, El Vaquero – Gahanna, Jimmy V’s, Old Bag of Nails Hard Road, Doc Henderson’s Marysville, Valleydale Ballroom

Have you tried Tessora? What did you think?

About the Author

Cheryl Harrison. Editor of Drink Up Columbus. Co-Founder of the Columbus Ale Trail.

7 Comments on "Tessora Limone: Italian Liqueur from the 614"

  1. Sophia June 6, 2011 at 5:36 PM · Reply

    I just had a tasting of this over the weekend at North Market! OMG, it was soooooo smooth and sweet~ If you like sweet and you like lemon, this is heaven sent! It tastes like liquified lemon bar (one of my fav)!! A must try!!! Yum~

  2. diane September 17, 2013 at 2:29 PM · Reply

    Well their family must have shared this with my family or the other way around. I make this at home. Hardest part is finding lemmons without the wax.

  3. Cassandra November 16, 2015 at 4:00 PM · Reply

    I tried it at the fabulous food show in Cleveland this past weekend. It was delicious. At first taste, it was a little potent, but I had them add some ice to my glass and I just sipped away. Ended up buying a bottle to take home.

  4. Elsie November 25, 2016 at 1:29 PM · Reply

    I tried this at the Food Show in Cleveland, and bought a bottle. I would like to buy more but can’t get in touch with the company on the website or by phone.

  5. Elsie November 25, 2016 at 1:30 PM · Reply

    How do I buy more of this in Cleveland?

  6. Louise Jaskoski September 4, 2021 at 4:40 PM · Reply

    I had a key lime martini made with Tessora. it was amazing. But no liquor store in our area sells it.

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