Like so many people, we were incredibly disappointed not to make it to Italy this Summer but that hasn’t stopped us bringing a taste of Italy back home. We’ve enjoyed serving up a cocktail or two over the past few weeks and thought it was about time we shared our favourite recipes with you!
Aperol Spritz
Due to some clever marketing by the Aperol brand, this drink seems to be everywhere at the moment! Aperol itself was the creation of the Barbieri brothers who launched the drink in Padua in 1919. But the term ‘spritz’ dates back much further to the 19th century when the North of Italy was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Apparently, Austro-Hungarian soldiers stationed in Italy found the Italian wines too strong for them so ‘spritzed’ their glasses with water to dilute them. The origins of the Aperol Spritz drink itself are more recent though, dating back to 1950s Venice, hence you will also hear it called a Spritz Veneziano.
Simply mix 3 parts of prosecco to 2 parts Aperol and 1 part soda water and garnish with a slice of orange. The Aperol lends a slight bitterness to the drink but it’s incredibly refreshing on a hot, sunny day.
Spritz al Campari
A twist on the Aperol Spritz, this cocktail replaces the Aperol with Campari but the addition of prosecco and soda water remains the same.
Limoncello Spritz
Not wanting to leave the creation of cocktails to the North of Italy, the origins of the Limoncello Spritz lie around Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the home of limoncello and where you will find lemons growing in abundance on its cliffside terraces. It’s definitely been our favourite tipple for Summer 2021!
Fill a glass with plenty of ice and pour over 2 parts limoncello, 3 parts prosecco and 1 part soda, although in reality, you can adapt the amounts according to taste. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a generous sprig of mint or even thyme and serve! Cheers!
Negroni
This drink supposedly dates back to the early 20th century and was the brainchild of a bartender at the Caffe Casoni in Florence. The story goes that Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Forsco Scarselli to strengthen his favourite cocktail â the Americano â by replacing the soda water with gin. And the rest was history!Â
Incredibly simple to make, just pour equal amounts of Campari, gin and Martini Rosso into a tumbler over ice and garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Negroni Sbagliato
A bit of a twist on the traditional Negroni, this drink was invented by mistake in the 1980s at the Bar Basso in Milan by Mirko Stocchetti. So the story goes, when making a Negroni, the bartender grabbed a bottle of prosecco and poured this into the glass instead of the gin. The resulting drink still has the bitterness of the original Negroni but it’s a little less punchy! It’s an error we’re happy Mirko made!
This time use a tall glass. Add equal measures of Campari and Martini Rosso but this time, omit the gin and instead top up with prosecco. Top tip: Pouring the prosecco into the glass along a long spoon will stop the bubbles spilling up over the edge of the glass. Stir gently and garnish with the traditional twist of orange peel or a slice of orange if you prefer.
Sgroppino
This refreshing drinks originates from the Veneto region of Italy and back in the 15th century was originally served as a palate cleaner between courses. These days, we much prefer it served as a cocktail either before dinner or even with dessert. Or, on a hot day, this can’t be beaten if you’re looking for something refreshing mid afternoon!
Simply put a scoop of lemon sorbet (make sure it’s the smooth stuff and remove from the freezer for a few minutes to soften before using), 100ml of prosecco and 50ml of vodka (straight from the freezer) in a blender and whizz to combine. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.
Bellini
The bellini is another cocktail that originates in the Veneto region. It was invented in the 1930s or 1940s by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harryâs Bar in Venice. So the story goes, he named it the âbelliniâ because its colour reminded him of a painting by the Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini.
Again, it’s super simple to make. Simply add some peach puree to the bottom of a champagne flute and top up with prosecco.
Fancy trying one of these cocktails in their natural home? Then take a look at the apartments and villas in Italy available to rent from Bookings For You and before you know it you could be sipping one of these creations in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, as part of an aperitivo in Milan or by the beach in Puglia.
In the meantime, cin cin!