The story of the how Disaronno came to be made is one of those beautifully passionate tales of true love and heartbreak that could only have taken place in Italy.

Back in 1525, a wealthy businessman commissioned a young painter from Leonardo da Vinci’s school to paint a fresco of the Madonna. The young painter’s first task was to find a beautiful model with all the poise, passion and pathos of the Madonna.
After weeks of searching, the young painter finally found the perfect model. The young woman and the painter spent many months together, and eventually fell deeply and passionately in love. The young woman created a sweet almond-flavoured liqueur which she presented to her lover as a gift of her everlasting love. The painting can still be viewed in the chapel of Sante Maria delle Grazie in Saronno.