Friendship Cup is a round container made of turned wood that is often finely carved. It has a cover and spouts, varying in number according to its size, from which people drink traditional Valdostana coffee - coffee mixed with Grappa, Génépy liqueur, sugar and spices. Of course, there’s no reason why it can’t be used with the beverage of your choice. Presently the Cup is considered an artistic object because it is still handmade and produced by only a few workshops of Valle d'Aosta. Friends gather around the table perhaps in front of a fireplace after a day of skiing or, in general, after a long and tiring day at work. After a number of “turns” around the table, the atmosphere warms up and tiredness disappears. Friendship Cup is ready for use. The first time, however, it is better to leave it for 5 minutes filled with lukewarm coffee.
 
Recipe of special Valle d'Aosta coffee
 
Ingredients (for 4 people):

Adjust the quantities indicated according to the number of people you are preparing the drink for.
Heat all ingredients in a casserole until boiling point. Sprinkle the edges of the Cup with grappa and sugar and pour the hot liquid into the Cup and make a flambé. When the flame has burnt out, put the cover on the Cup and pass it on as a sign of friendship for guests in an anti-clockwise direction. Drink one at a time and never interrupt the drinking round, otherwise friendship will be broken. 
 
Important notice: Before using the cup, rinse it out with bitter coffee or with grappa. Never wash the inside of the Cup with water. Clean the spouts with a humid sponge. Never leave the cup in a dry room or near the sources of heat since they could damage the wood.