Did you ever look at a loaf of bread and see a bottle of vodka waiting to happen? Our guest today did, and now that bread has become the vodka that took Venice Cocktail Week by storm.

Frank Grillo, the co-founder of Altamura Distilleries, wasn’t just looking at any old slice of bread when he saw a bottle of vodka, but one he had made with Altamura wheat. 

If you haven't already heard of Pane di Altamura, as it's called in Italian, you have been missing something special. They’ve been talking about it for centuries. Even Horace, the classical writer, said it was the best bread in the world, and that was in the 1st century.  

Pane di Altamura is an Italian bread from the Altamura area of Puglia, Italy. In 2003, Pane di Altamura was granted PDO status in Europe, which means that, for it to be called Pane di Altamura, it must be made in a heavily regulated way. As I said, this is not just your supermarket bread. 

In turn, Frank’s Altamura Vodka is not just your regular run-of-the-mill vodka but one made with this very special wheat.  How did he come by this bread living in Atlanta?  Well, I’ll let him tell you that story!

But before you get to meet him, did you know that you can now watch Frank’s episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual!

Our Cocktail of the week was created by Antonio and his team at the Aman Venice, especially for Altamura Vodka. It’s called the Seven Pillars! 

INGREDIENTS

• 40 ml Altamura Distilleries Vodka
• 40 ml Fig Liqueur
• 20 ml Select
• Dried Tarragon
• Dried Fig

METHOD

• RIm half of a rocks glass with dried Tarragon 
• Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass
• Add ice
• Stir, stir, stir
• Strain it into the rocks glass with ice
• Garnish with a dried fig

You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/altamura-vodka-with-frank-grillo

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