"Biodiversity and mixology" – mixed drinks made with local products are winning over Alba's tourism operators

On Friday, May 20, 2022, the Grande Circo di Primavera in Piazza Sarti hosted the event "Biodiversity and Mixology": a workshop aimed at all Alba tourism professionals and organized by the Municipality of Alba to promote local products in a new, alternative, and original way: the art of mixed drinks.

The Councilor for Tourism, Events, and UNESCO Creative Cities of the Municipality of Alba emphasized the City's significant efforts this year on the topic of food biodiversity. While the "Livertin Experience" and "Picnic in the Vineyard" initiatives aimed at residents and tourists, raising awareness of the importance of recognizing wild edible herbs in Alba's rural areas and the use of seasonal ingredients in cooking, the "Biodiversity and Mixology" event was aimed directly at tourism professionals.

Bar maître Elton Zequiraj explained to them the philosophy of LeGar Unplugged Mixology , a new concept of mixing high-quality seasonal products, based on respect for nature and minimal manipulation of the ingredients in order to promote healthy, sustainable and conscious drinking.

After an initial introduction to the topic, the 120 participants were then offered a “Stand Up Tasting,” an experience of tasting a mixed drink made with seasonal flowers (mainly acacia and elderberry) hand-picked in the woods and organic vegetables (Mara dei boschi strawberries, pea foam) accompanied by a Barbera grappa and the fresh bubbles of Alta Langa DOCG.

The founder of LeGar Unplugged Mixology states: "As biodiversity enthusiasts, we seek out seasonal ingredients, often protected by the Slow Food and grown by small or very small organic producers. We've created a collection of two drinks that, in our creative spirit, best showcase the seasons in the Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero regions."

The event was organised within the framework of the European cross-border cooperation programme Interreg VA France-Italy ALCOTRA 2014-2020 “ Biodiversità Stellata/Biodiversitée Étoilée ” which includes the City of Alba as the lead partner and the partners GAL Langhe Roero Leader, the Municipality of Cogne, Commune du Bourget-du-Lac (Savoy, France) and Ville de La Motte-Servolex (Savoy, France) .