It has been a very hot summer across Europe and when it comes to refreshing one’s self, traditional cocktails are still the most popular drinks on any cocktail menu. MenStyleFashion has spent the last year in Italy and thought it would make sense to talk about the five stylish cocktails to drink when visiting any part of Italy.
Spritz
A Spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy. It consists of prosecco, digestive bitters and soda water. Spritz Veneziano al Select, Spritz al Campari and Aperol Spritz are popular versions of the Italian wine-based cocktail, each one using different bitters.
It’s easy to assume that Campari and Aperol, the two Italian aperitifs that define the cocktails, which today are both owned by Gruppo Campari, are interchangeable. This can sometimes be very confusing when it comes to ordering one or the other. However, that is certainly not the case and here are the differences between the two.
Spritz al Campari
Spritz al Campari is red and is significantly more bitter with hints of rhubarb, berries and a floral bouquet of potent (and mysterious) herbs. Campari is the strongest taste of the three wines, So we recommend you buy the three wine-based cocktails and experiment. Campari has a more prominent flavour and, as such, acts as the dominant component in cocktails.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz is certainly the sweeter of the two and contains hints of bitter orange and both gentian and cinchona flowers. This is definitely the go-to drink when visiting Venice. It is so wonderful to indulge in a spritz whilst relaxing on the Grand Canal when you overlook the Rialto Bridge. We also found the quality of the Prosecco used can make a huge difference in taste as well.
We often sat here at Rialto Bridge in Venice and had a spritz.
Do you want to try any of the spritzers or cocktails at home or at work? We found Crystal Mixer to be a great resource to learn from.
Bellini
Did you know the Bellini is a cocktail made with Prosecco and peach purée or nectar? It originated in Venice, Italy. Whilst walking the streets of Venice on a very humid day and hot day there is nothing more inviting than to embrace a glass of Bellini. I did find that quite a few high-end shops are offering this drink to their clientele. It is an acquired taste and can be very sweet. It is served in a champagne flute, with no ice. You must pour the peach puree into a chilled flute and then add the Prosecco. It is important you stir it with passion and be gentle. It makes sense that it looks so pretty. So when in Venice make sure you take a seat, live the alfresco way of life and take in Pizza San Marco with a Bellini.
Hugo
It is been almost 5 years ago when MenStyleFashion was visiting South Tyrol in the Northern part of Italy. This is where we got first introduced to the Hugo cocktail.
The Hugo cocktail had to be tasted as it originated here. It is a slightly alcoholic aperitif, it’s based on prosecco, elderflower syrup, seltzer and mint leaves, and is very refreshing in the heat. It tastes as good as it looks. It is a cocktail that takes one to master depending on one’s palette.
Our friendly waiter in South Tyrol with Hugo cocktails.
Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a very heavy cocktail to drink and in Venice and lots of other places in Italy can only be ordered after 1 pm. We recommend it as an evening cocktail to enjoy. The espresso martini is a cold, coffee-flavoured cocktail made with vodka, espresso coffee, and coffee liqueur. It is n1t a true martini as it contains neither gin nor vermouth. However, it is hugely popular as it looks very elegant when it comes to cocktail images.
We often drank an espresso martini, here in Pietrasanta, Tuscany. This place is all about drink persona.
When in Italy it is all about the drink image, Alta Moda and lifestyle. Yes, people do judge your cocktail image!
