Cigar World's Artisans Corner: Charlie Albanetti of Abbina Sipping Sodas
This past year has been packed full of amazing interviews and articles from folks that we met at PCA, and this article is no different. As a matter of fact, Charlie Albanetti is the first interview that I conducted at PCA this past April. I was so excited to sit down with Charlie because I had never heard of a zero-proof soda that was crafted specifically to pair with cigars. Let me introduce you to Abbina Sipping Sodas.
The name Abbina comes from the conjugation of the Italian word, abbinare, meaning “to match/pair,” and these sodas fit the bill. Each soda was crafted to pair perfectly with a cigar. These refreshments were designed to complement the flavor profile of cigars, and each soda has a complex, delightful taste that evolves over time with your smoke.
So why create a sipping soda in the first place? Well, Charlie was bored with the current sodas on the market and didn’t feel like the sodas complemented the smoking experience well. He saw an opportunity to provide a non-alcoholic option for cigar consumers to incorporate into their smoking experience. Of course, these sodas are also a great mixer with spirits if you want to amp it up.
The Man Behind Abbina Sipping Sodas
Charlie is the mad scientist behind the actual product. A hobby of his prior to creating Abbina, was as a foodie, but also as a perfumery enthusiast, and these hobbies assisted him in the creation of Abbina Sipping Sodas. He worked in his Albany, NY home, at his dining room table, concocting different flavors and was able to bring his recipes to a professional flavorist lab so that he could build on to his formulas. He uses unique ingredients such as oakmoss absolute, coffee extract, and natural saffron oil.
The Current Line Up
Abbina Sipping Sodas are currently available in four different flavors:
- Candlewood- A delightful mix of cherry, amaretto, earth and oakmoss
- Tower44- A fragrant combination of saffron, patchouli, grapefruit and rose
- Vinnie- A savory synthesis of allspice, ginger, molasses and herbs
- Royale- A subtly sweet merger of coffee, chocolate, nuts and vanilla
Where to Find Abbina Sipping Sodas
You can find Abbina Sipping Sodas in over 42 stores in the US (I recommend using the store locator on their website,) or they can be purchased online at, https://abbinasoda.com/.
Charlie told me that he is currently got some new ideas that he is working on, and we cannot wait to hear what he has in store for us! Make sure to follow Abbina Sipping Sodas on IG @abbinasoda so that you can get the latest news from Charlie and his team at Abbina.
Current Cigar World Promotions
Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan Season Giveaway
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To celebrate the return of Filthy Hooligan and Filthy Hooligan Shamrock, Alec Bradley is kicking off a series of giveaways leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, and they've just announced their first!
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