Outstanding Cold Beverage 2009: Aliseo Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice

Aliseo Foods’ Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice is a product of terroir. It’s a combination of three types of blood oranges—Moro, Taracco and Sanguinella—that have been growing for centuries at the foot of Mt. Etna in Sicily, the tallest active volcano in Europe. The groves flourish in the ash-rich soil, giving this award-winning juice an unmatched flavor.

The Moro blood orange has successfully been transplanted to Florida and California, but the Taracco and Sanguinella won’t grow anywhere but Sicily, so the taste of the all-natural juice can bring consumers back to their travels in Italy. “Culturally, it’s the same with food and music. It can transport you,” says Stefania Rigo, vice president, North America.

The juice is produced under traditional Italian standards during prime growing season from December to May, using the finest fruit, which is picked from the original, single providence groves. It’s made using a distinct heat pasteurization process and is flash frozen to preserve nutrients, nutritional qualities and flavor. It’s also high in antioxidants and vitamin C and has no added sugars. Suggested retail price: $4.99 - $5.99/1-liter. aliseofoods.com.—D. Shoukas