To be honest, I would love to write about best destinations to travel to or leading hotels of the world, but let’s face it, I can’t. I don’t know what is open for travel , what is what anymore ever since this nightmarish situation all hit us in the face. But please hand me a cocktail, an Italian Cocktail please !
But what is one to do ? Yes, I still buy or read an occasional travel magazine to keep up to date and vicariously live through the dreamy pages of travel. I delve further on the world’s map so I can plan a future travel project. And yes, it is not the same as when you really plan with that exhilarating feeling pressing the “booked” option. That thrill there is nothing like it.
I can invite friends for an international dinner so I can keep myself immersed in this make believe world of travel; sure it helps but wait a minute , what about discussing cocktails.
Three things we Italians love, our coffee , our wine and cocktails ,ok then so let’s talk about Italian cocktails.
Let’s Talk My 5 Top Italian Cocktails
Let’s invite friends and drink cocktails ! This is a great way to start conversations and feel a little “la dolce vita’ because we all need a little of this right now ! In Italy , wine is a very popular beverage for dinner time but there is that wonderful moment before dinner called ” aperitivo” . Cocktail in Italy does not contain a lot of alcohol so it is common to drink a few . Here are the most popular Italian cocktails that you can also make at home & create an Italian theme night. Don’t forget to invite me 🙂
Bellini
Ingredients; Peach Puree and Prosecco
Pour directly inn a Champagne Flute the peach first then the Prosecco . If you are creative, you can add a soft decoration. Some of the best Prosecco are the following :
- NV Mionetto Superiore Brut
- Bisol “Crede” Superiore Spumante Brut
- Adriano Adami “Vigneto Giardino” Superiore Dry
- Nino Franco “Primo Franco” Superiore Dry
- Ruggeri “Vecchie Viti” Superiore Brut
Bellini is an easy to make Italian Cocktail & your guests will love it .
Negroni Sbagliato
Introducing “Negroni Sbagliato ” the Italian cocktail that means messed up in Italian. However, don’t fuss or worry because Italians know what they are doing. They know a little “messed up” or imperfections can still taste as delicious.
Who invented the Negroni Sbagliato?
Well in 1967, Bar Basso, a bar in Milan, is credited with the invention of the Negroni Sbagliato (“mistaken Negroni”), a sparkling take on the Negroni made with Prosecco instead of gin.
Ingredients: 1/3 Vermouth rosso, 1/3 Bitter Campari, 1/3 Prosecco. This is a Pre-dinner cocktail .
Aperol Spritz
The Spritz and happy hour in Italy complement each other. What a fantastic way to enjoy the summer at a bar with an Italian cocktail just after work. There are many types of Italian Spritzes, but you can be certain it will definitely have Prosecco and sparkling water. The distinguishing feature is Aperol . It is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona. It has a vibrant orange hue & a zesty orange taste with a hint of vanilla.
The Hugo
The Hugo, like every other spritzes always has Prosecco & sparkling water but this one originates from one of my favourite regions in Italy, South Tyrol in Northern Italy. It widespreads to Austria, Switzerland and Germany. What makes the Hugo unique are elderflower syrup and mint leaves—both ingredients that surround the Dolomites. It is a cool refreshing drink more so on ice with a splash of lime.
The Americano
They say the origin of the Americano was invented in 1860, at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan. Instead the name was given due to the Americans abroad in Italy in the 20th century. Another story goes back to the 1930s in honor of the Italian boxer Primo Carnera, active in the USA and the Americano was born.
To make it yourself, mix one part Campari, one part sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda water in a glass, and serve with a lemon slice.
There you have it, my top Italian Cocktails but there are obviously many more and I shall drink to that ! Cheers !
