Himeros

History

The project was conceived around 2023 following an idea by Mimmo Lombardo, a long-standing sailboat builder in Calabria, and was developed by Assoluta Srl, a company founded by four partners united by a desire to promote the region’s finest products.

Himeros has its roots in the millennia-old history of Magna Graecia and in the cultural heritage of the ancient polis of Locri Epizefiri and Kaulon, historic crossroads of trade and cultural exchange in the Mediterranean. The name itself evokes the figure from Greek mythology who represents desire and romantic attraction, a symbol of the drive towards beauty and the rediscovery of one’s origins. Rather than building a narrative around a product, Himeros takes its inspiration from the real landscape nestled between the peaks of Aspromonte and the shores of the Ionian Sea, offering a vision of Calabria that is authentic, modern and open to the world.

Production Method

Developing the recipe took three years of research, testing and consultation with bartenders and hospitality professionals. The main challenge was to tame the aromatic exuberance of bergamot from the Ionian coast of Calabria – an extraordinary yet complex citrus fruit whose intensity risked overpowering the other ingredients.

Through a meticulous process of extraction and blending, a perfect balance has been achieved in which the bergamot is crisp and elegant without being overpowering. This citrus heart is complemented by botanicals typical of the Calabrian region and the Aspromonte mountains, such as helichrysum, juniper, greater gentian and wild fennel, harmonised with spices such as cinnamon, cloves and vanilla.

The result is two well-structured and versatile bitter bases, created to blend seamlessly into signature cocktails.