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The product
What ratafià is
The liqueur of sour cherries and red wine.
Abruzzo ratafià is a sweet liqueur made with sour cherries, sugar, alcohol and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo red wine, with a cinnamon stick or a few cloves. It is dark red with an intense fruity scent.
Many families still make it at home in summer, with cherries from the garden; it is also sold ready-made by some Abruzzo distilleries.
Territory
Where it comes from
Ratafià is made all over Abruzzo, from the coast to the mountain villages, wherever sour cherry trees grow and Montepulciano is made.
From field to table
How it is made
- The cherries are picked ripe in June, washed and stoned (or left whole).
- They go into a large glass jar with the sugar and are left in the sun for about 40 days, shaken now and then.
- The Montepulciano wine, alcohol and cinnamon are added, and it rests a few more weeks.
- It is filtered and bottled: ratafià improves with a few months’ rest.
In the kitchen
How to use it
The liqueur of Abruzzo hospitality.
- After meals, in a small glass
- With dry biscuits, ferratelle and mostaccioli
- Over custard ice cream or panna cotta
- The soaked cherries, in spirit, as a little treat
Tips
How to choose and store it
- For a lighter version, use more wine in proportion to the alcohol.
- Keep it in the dark: light dulls its colour.
- Let it rest at least until Christmas: it becomes smoother.
- Sour cherries are only around for a few days in June: make it as soon as you find them.
Note: every family has its own quantities of sugar, wine and alcohol; bought ratafià usually has a more consistent strength.
Ordering
Where to buy it and whom to contact
Contacts checked on the official websites in October 2026: check availability and prices before ordering.
Distilleria Toro
The Tocco da Casauria distillery, born from the pharmacy of Beniamino Toro, who began making centerbe in 1817. It also makes genziana and ratafià.
- Address: Via Tiburtina Valeria km 192,440 – 65028 Tocco da Casauria (PE)
- Email: sales@liquoritoro.it
- Order online: liquoritoro.com
Gallery
Photos
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The image is an illustration drawn for abruzzoparchi.it: we could not find free photos of this Abruzzo wine or liqueur. If you have a photo to share, write to us.
Tradition
History and trivia
Liqueurs called ratafia exist in many parts of Europe; Abruzzo’s stands out for using Montepulciano wine together with sour cherries.
For generations ratafià was the liqueur of family celebrations: it was made in summer and offered to guests, at engagements and at Christmas.
Did you know? ratafià is not tied to any one brand: it is a family liqueur, and «grandmother’s recipe» is its most widespread label.