Whenever I want to enjoy a powerful drink to start the evening properly before heading to Murazzi’s nightlife, my familiar spot is usually Les Arcades; if you forget the address please do not ask for Arcades because most of the locals refer to it as Tamango, the name of their most famous cocktail.

You will not find it anywhere else and the recipe of this strong drink has been kept a secret for years, while abundant theories about the different ingredients and flavors (tamarind and mango pulp are the only certainties), have made it an urban legend. Some talk about special roots of an African plant, some others about a home-made vermouth, others about absinthe…

No matter what the truth is, the locale is nothing special (a narrow room with a few tables and a counter, which gets crowded and noisy pretty fast), but the first sip of Tamango gives you a hint about the strength of this cocktail revered by hedonists, shy people and night owls. Although tasty, if you have a second one you’d better be ready to get a very strong feeling of happiness and rush: Tamango must not be abused, but rather enjoyed in small quantities to kickstart a long journey through the night of the Piedmontese capital.