Promponas: Naxos Citron Liqueur & Artisan Preserves Since 1915
Four generations of Cycladic tradition in Kitro Naxou, rakomelo, and handcrafted spoon sweets from the island of Naxos.
Who is Promponas?
Since 1915, Promponas has distilled the spirit of Naxos into authentic citron liqueurs, rakomelo, and artisan preserves, honouring four generations of Cycladic craftsmanship.
- Distillery
- Founded 1915
- Naxos, Cyclades, South Aegean, Greece
Where is Promponas located?
Naxos, Cyclades, South Aegean, Greece
The story of Promponas
The story of Promponas begins in 1915, when Dimitrios Promponas set out to produce and bottle Kitro Naxou, the island's celebrated citron liqueur. Through the difficult war years, Dimitrios persevered, laying the foundation for a family business that would span more than a century.
Stamatis Promponas, son of the founder, took over the reins with the support of his wife Sofia. Together they multiplied production of citron liqueur, organised sales more effectively, and watched demand grow dramatically. Stamatis's restless spirit led him to found the family winery in 1978 and to introduce spoon sweets to the range. His creation of the unique crispy cherry preserve became a signature of Naxos and opened the door to further innovation.
The third generation—daughters Katerina and Lina—now stewards the family tradition, blending the values they inherited with fresh ideas suited to modern times. They introduced raki with citron aroma, a contemporary expression that unites the heritage of raki with the bright freshness of local citron. The fourth generation has embraced the role of storyteller, offering guided distillery tours that invite visitors to discover the aromas, flavours, and history behind one of the Cyclades' most beloved products.
How are the products made?
Promponas remains faithful to authentic recipes and traditional methods, ensuring that every product exudes the character of Naxos. The family's philosophy is rooted in respect for local ingredients and time-honoured techniques, from the distillation of Kitro Naxou to the preparation of spoon sweets.
Each creation—whether rakomelo, mastic liqueur, limoncello, or crispy cherry preserve—is crafted with the same commitment to authenticity that guided Dimitrios Promponas more than a century ago. The family does not chase trends but instead honours the recipes and processes that have defined the taste of the Cyclades for generations, while thoughtfully incorporating contemporary ideas that reflect the spirit of each new era.
Provenance
Every bottle and jar from Promponas carries the provenance of Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades and the birthplace of Kitro Naxou. The family business has operated continuously on the island since 1915, drawing on local citron, cherries, and botanicals to create spirits and preserves that are inseparable from their place of origin.
The guided distillery tours offered by the fourth generation provide a direct connection to this provenance, allowing visitors to witness the production process, explore the aromas of the distillery, and understand the deep relationship between the Promponas family and the land that has sustained their craft for more than a century.
What makes Promponas distinctive?
Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades, provides the distinctive terroir that shapes every Promponas product. The island's unique microclimate and volcanic soils nurture the citron trees whose fruit is essential to Kitro Naxou, the liqueur that has defined the family's craft since 1915.
The bright, aromatic character of Naxian citron—fresh, fragrant, and unmistakably local—infuses the family's spirits with a sense of place. The island's natural bounty, from cherries to the botanicals used in rakomelo and mastic liqueur, reflects the richness of the Cycladic landscape and the generations of knowledge required to transform raw ingredients into expressions of authentic island tradition.
Producer collection
Available products from Promponas
Promponas Naxos White Citron Special Liqueur 350 ml, 40% vol - Double Distilled
What does Promponas produce?
Kitro Naxou, the citron liqueur that launched the family business in 1915, remains the signature of Promponas. This celebrated spirit captures the bright, aromatic essence of Naxian citron and has been the cornerstone of the family's reputation across four generations.
The crispy cherry spoon sweet, introduced by Stamatis Promponas in 1978, became a unique signature of Naxos and paved the way for an expanded range. Rakomelo, mastic liqueur, and limoncello followed, each crafted with respect for authentic recipes and local ingredients. The contemporary raki with citron aroma, created by the third generation, unites the heritage of raki with the fresh character of local citron, offering a modern expression rooted in tradition.
Primary ingredients and output
Naxian citron is the heart of Promponas's craft, providing the bright, aromatic character that defines Kitro Naxou and the contemporary raki with citron aroma. Local cherries are transformed into the unique crispy cherry spoon sweet, while honey, mastic, and lemon are used to create rakomelo, mastic liqueur, and limoncello.
Each ingredient is selected for its quality and connection to the island, ensuring that the flavours and aromas of Naxos are faithfully captured in every product the family produces.
