Parafante Liqueurs - Our story
Parafante Liqueurs was born from a shared passion for flavor, tradition, and innovation. Founded by proud Calabrese and Londoner Graziano Madeo and fellow drinks enthusiast Matthias Ingelmann, Parafante is on a mission to bring a taste of Calabria - Italy’s best-kept secret - to the world. The result? Parafante Fig Leaf Liqueur, a bold, modern take on a centuries-old drinking tradition.
Nestled in the sun-drenched toe of Italy’s boot, Calabria is one of the country’s most underappreciated regions, yet it produces some of its most remarkable flavors—from the fragrant bergamot (the citrus behind Earl Grey tea) to the fiery ’nduja, sweet Tropea onions, and, of course, lush, aromatic fig leaves.
By sourcing Calabria’s finest botanicals, fruits, and herbs and crafting them into small-batch, artisanal liqueurs, Parafante is reviving the Italian liqueur tradition for a cosmopolitan audience. Each sip is an invitation to discover the essence of Calabria, where bold flavors, craftsmanship, and a love for good company come together in every bottle.
Parafante Fig Leaf Liqueur
Parafante Fig Leaf Liqueur reimagines Italian tradition, crafted from hand-harvested fig leaves grown in Calabria’s sun-drenched hills. Once dried, they travel to London, where they are macerated, blended, and rested to create a truly unique liqueur.
With notes of fig, coconut, green walnut, and white chocolate, it’s perfect for cocktails yet refined enough to enjoy neat and chilled as an aperitif or digestif.
As the first in a new collection of contemporary liqueurs, Parafante brings Calabria’s boldest flavors to the world - one sip at a time.
Parafante’s story
Paolo “Parafante” Mancuso was more than a brigand - he was a symbol of defiance. Born in Cosenza, Calabria, in the late 18th century, he took up arms to defend southern Italy’s independence, resisting foreign rule and, later, the new Italian government’s policies.
For centuries, brigands were feared outlaws, but by the 19th century, they had become a movement of popular resistance in the Mezzogiorno.
Today, figures like Parafante are folk heroes, their stories still told across Calabria, Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia. They embody the rebellious, independent spirit of southern Italy, making Parafante Liqueurs a fitting tribute to this rich heritage.
Parafante Liqueurs - The team
Graziano Madeo -
Founder and Director
Graziano was born in the small town of Amendolara (‘village of the almonds’) in the north-east of Calabria and spent his childhood and teenage years eating and drinking the region’s traditional food and drink made by mamma and nonna. He moved to London in 2007 and has spent the last 14 years working in London’s restaurants and bars, but his dream has always been to start his own business that would support and promote his town and region.
Graziano can usually be found cooking, eating and drinking, and singing the praises of Italy in general and Calabria in particular to anyone who’ll listen.
Matthias Ingelmann -
Founder and Director
Matthias is originally from the north of Germany, but moved around a lot during his childhood and has lived in various places in Germany, as well as Switzerland and Italy. Matthias has spent the last few years working in some of the best restaurants and bars in Paris and London. He is very curious about new concepts and ideas and always on the lookout for new flavours, flavour combinations and interesting products.
If you don’t find him behind the bar mixing drinks, you'll see him running, reading or enjoying all things hospitality, from the neighborhood coffee shop to the Michelin star restaurant.