Disaronno is a brand of the sweet, almond-flavored Italian Liquor Amaretto. It seems to be unknown who invented Disaronno but there are many tales describing the origin. All of the legends have to do with amore [love]. The nearness of amare [a little bitter, bitter-sweet] and amore [love] may be responsible for the association of Amaretto and amore. Leonardo Da Vinci, his student Bernardino Luini and a young widow are the protagonists of the most popular legend:
In 1525 Leonardo Da Vinci and Bernardino Luini were commissioned to paint frescos on the walls of a church in Saronno [Italy]. A model for the Virgin Mary was needed. Da Vinci found it in a young widow. The task to paint the Virgin Mary was given to Luini. While Da Vinci had looked with the artists eye for a likeness of the Virgin Mary, Luini fell in love with his model. Out of affection the widow wanted to give Luini a gift to show her gratitude. She was an innkeeper; the thought of something alcoholic was near. She steeped apricot kernels and herbs in brandy and presented the bitter-sweet, amber colored concoction to her lover.
The company, marketing Disaronno Originale, claims that the recipe is unchanged since 1525 and the legend of the innkeeper and Luini as its origin. The liquor was originally named Amaretto di Saronno [Amaretto from Saronno]. It is presented in a beautiful oblong glass decanter designed by a craftsman from Murano.