Alchermes

Alchermes is an Italian liqueur. In addition to about 25 % alcohol it typically contains sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, vanilla, rose water and the dye kermes. By the latter ingredient, the drink gets a characteristic red color, so it is also used for coloring food, for example, trifle and crostata di ricotta.

The name comes from the Arabic word al - qirmiz, indicating the dye kermes. The origin of the liqueur is in Florence, at the time of the Medici returned. In France he is known as liqueur de ' Medici. At the beginning of the 20th century, he went out of fashion, but is still available from various manufacturers. Actually he is one of the original ingredients of tiramisu, later he was replaced with the currently used brandy.