Strega cocktails - the 10 best

Italy's answer to France's Yellow Chartreuse, Liquore Strega is a complex liqueur made with 70 different botanicals including cinnamon, juniper, wild mint, cloves, star anise, white pepper, orris root, nutmeg and saffron (which gives the liqueur its vivid yellow hue).

Strega shares many of its botanicals with gin and indeed it pairs well with gin in cocktails, as it does with tequila and brandy – particularly grappa.

Despite Strega's versatility in adding complex flavours to cocktails it has been sadly overlooked by many bartenders. In a hope of changing this, follows our ten favourite Strega cocktails.

If you've a killer recipe we've missed then please email your spec to simon@diffordsguide.com. In the meantime:

Acapulco No.2 Cocktail
With: Reposado tequila, Strega, lemon juice and egg white.
We say: This Margarita-like drink demonstrates what a great combo tequila and Strega are.

Autumn Leaves
With: Rye whiskey, calvados, sweet vermouth, Strega and Angostura Bitters.
We say: The herbal notes of Strega combine delightfully in this stirred down cocktail.

Corpse Reviver No.0824
With: Strega, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, Angostura Bitters and egg white.
We say: A suitably Italian riff on the classic Corpse Reviver with Strega liqueur.

Death Star
With: Pisco, Strega liqueur, Cynar and grapefruit bitters.
We say: This equal parts stirred down cocktail is either a boozy aperitif or a bittersweet digestif come nightcap. Whatever classification, it's tasty.

Ernst Happel
With: Dry gin, Strega, Apricot liqueur, kirschwasser, lemon juice and orange bitters.
We say: Gin laced, tangy, herbal, fruity and citrusy.

Lo Stregone
With: Strega, Crodino and Angostura Bitters.
We say: Crodino and Strega make a very tasty and very Italian aperitivo. Go easy on the Angostura.

Unforgettable Moments
With: Cognac, muscatel, Strega, cherry brandy, vanilla syrup and cinnamon syrup.
We say: Slightly sweet with vanilla, cherry and cinnamon and complex peppermint and herbal notes from the Strega interlaced with cognac.

Witches' Daiquiri
With: Golden rum, Strega, orgeat syrup, orange juice and lemon juice.
We say: Aniseed, sweet almond and delicate spice subtly influence this tasty Daiquiri.

Witches' Grappa
With: Grappa, Strega, orange juice and lemon juice.
We say: As the name suggests, grappa and Strega predominate in this citrusy cocktail.

Witches' Yellow Flip
With: Strega, cognac, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg yolk.
We say: Strega liqueur and citrus juice fortified with cognac flavour this aptly named flip.

MORE Strega cocktail recipes