Drinking for a cure is now a thing, and it’s all thanks to one rather ancient pharmacy. Santa Maria Novella is one of the world’s oldest medicinal outposts – born in Florence in 1221, the pharmacy has long used medicinal herbs grown in the accompanying monastic garden to make medicines, balms, and ointments for the infirm. Santa Maria Novella’s current offering ranges from liqueurs, to colognes, hair care, oral hygiene, face and body care, soaps, wax products, room fragrances, ceramics, leather goods and a barber line.

But we’re most intrigued of course by the famed liqueurs, which are on their way to Australia for the first time and will shortly be available for purchase. Originally created by the resident Dominican monks, the drinks are a seven-strong collection of elixirs and liqueurs of medicinal herbs and spices with the aim to boost energy, digestion and even enhance the appetite. Even today, the liqueurs are produced in the laboratory-cellar on Via Reginaldo Giuliani in Florence, following formulas found in ancient manuscripts that have been handed down through the centuries.

For those eager to try the liqueurs for themselves, all seven flavours will shortly land in Australia. Flavours available include the Liquore Alkermes – the ruby red recipe for this was written in 1743 and is believed to increase resistence to illness. Then there’s the Elisir Stomatico – an 18th Century formula for a Chinese-based medicial drink that’s used to settle and calm an upset stomach. And finally perhaps most famously the Liquore Mediceo – named in honour of the Medici family, the drop is a concoction of ten different herbs (including lemon balm and marjoram) and is believed to aid digestion.

Available for $100 each of the Santa Maria Novella liqueurs can be enjoyed as an aperitivo or in a cordial-like form. They can be purchased online from Libertine Parfumerie now.