FigCello Di Sonoma Liqueur

Last year, Hello Cello, Sonoma's boutique limoncello producer, started climbing up a different tree.

It introduced a delicious version of its Southern Italian-style liqueur, but instead of lemons, the liqueur is made with fresh figs straight from Sonoma Valley.

FigCello di Sonoma is crafted of black Mission fruit blended with citrus, 14 secret botanicals, and a brandy of distilled Wine Country grapes. Port-like, with beguiling notes of anise and a restrained sweetness, it was love at first sip.

Alas, FigCello ($36 for 750 ml) was previously available only at The Girl & The Fig in downtown Sonoma.

But now the liqueur is widely available, so we feel safe sharing news of its existence, knowing you can get a bottle right now, in the dead of winter, that will transport you to warmer days.

If our endorsement isn't enough, maybe Lady Gaga's is? The pop star stopped in at The Girl & The Fig recently, where she tossed back a Fig Kiss cocktail, a delicious quaff made with cranberry juice, FigCello, and St-Germain elderflower liqueur.

With FigCello's expanded availability, you can now drink like a pop star in the comfort of your own home.

FigCello di Sonoma; hellosonoma.com. Available at The Jug Shop, 1590 Pacific Ave. (at Polk St.), 415-885-2922 or thejugshop.com; and Cask, 17 Third St., 415-424-4844 or caskspirits.com