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Italian cocktails can be found on countless drink menus spanning far beyond Italy. In fact, some of the most popular cocktails of all time are Italian by nature. Even if your bar or restaurant puts creative twists on standard recipes and gives them unique names, there’s a likelihood that you’re serving a variation of well-known Italian cocktail drinks. That’s right–your Italian wine selection isn’t the only area of your beverage program that stems from sunny Italy.
In this article, we’re going to go over several Italian cocktails that can complement your food menu. They’re all popular worldwide, so they’ll be ideal for driving sales. Read on to learn about them alongside additional information about Italian cocktail recipes.
What Are Italian Cocktails?
Italian cocktails are alcoholic beverages that originated in Italy or incorporate Italian-made ingredients. For instance, drinks like the Aperol Spritz and the Negroni are both Italian cocktails since they originated in Italian regions. However, some people might argue that something like an Amaretto Sour is Italian, since amaretto comes from Italy. However, this beverage emerged during the 1970s in the United States.
To determine which recipes are truly authentic vs. Italian-inspired, you’ll have to perform a quick Google search! But once you distinguish which recipes are the most authentic and popular in Italy, you’ll be able to craft a genuine and thoughtful Italian cocktail menu.
Why Are Italian Cocktails Popular?
Italian cocktails are so popular due to how well-known Italian cuisine is worldwide. Of all the different food groups, Italian dishes are some of the most popular of all. From pizza to various types of pasta, there are numerous recipes that can pair with an Italian cocktail menu. And let’s not forget that most Italian cocktails are light, refreshing, and delicious. If you’re contemplating safe options to add to a drink menu, Italian cocktail recipes should be ideal.
7 Most Popular Italian Cocktails
There are several Italian cocktail recipes that are popular throughout Italy as well as the United States. Whether you dine in an authentic trattoria or a casual Italian-American chain, you’ll most likely find some of these mixed drink recipes on the menu. Take a look below to help inspire your restaurant’s drink menu:
1. Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is by far the most popular of all Italian cocktails known to man. That should come as no surprise, as it’s vibrant, refreshing, and fairly low in calories. For those who would like a citrus beverage with an appealing look, an Aperol Spritz is perfect, and oh so authentic to Italian culture.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz
To make the most popular Italian cocktail, follow this recipe:
- 3 parts Prosecco
- 2 parts Aperol
- 1 part soda water
- Orange slice (for garnish)
Begin by filling a glass with ice. Then, pour all of the ingredients together and stir gently. Top off the glass with the orange slice and enjoy!
2. Bellini
A smooth and fruity cocktail can be enjoyed at any time of day. However, Bellinis are most popular amidst brunch and light fare menus. It’s sort of like a less citrus take on a mimosa, as orange juice is replaced with peach purée. And instead of champagne which can be a bit dry, a Bellini uses prosecco instead, which is naturally sweet.
How to Make a Bellini
To make a classic bellini, all you need are two ingredients:
- 2 ounces of peach purée
- 4 ounces of Prosecco
Start by pouring the purée into a champagne flute. Then, top it off with the prosecco. Stir gently to not disrupt the carbonation and enjoy!
3. Limoncello Spritz
Sure, limoncello is super fresh and enjoyable on its own. But did you know that you can use it to create one of the most refreshing summer cocktails? Well, you can technically drink a Limoncello Spritz any time of year. However, it’s most enjoyable during the warmer months.
How to Make a Limoncello Spritz
If you’d like to take the popular lemon liquor and turn it into a Limoncello Spritz, follow this recipe:
- 2 ounces of Limoncello
- 3 ounces of Prosecco
- 1 ounce of soda water
- Lemon slice (for garnish)
After filling a glass with ice, pour in each of the ingredients. Then, stir them gently. Garnish the glassware with a lemon slice, and enjoy it on its own or with a number of seafood dishes.
4. Negroni
Another drink that’s authentic to Italian culture is the Negroni. With a strong and robust flavor profile, it also carries strong aromatic qualities as well. You’ll often pick up notes of herbs and citrus.
How to Make a Negroni
To make one of the oldest Italian cocktails, follow this recipe:
- 1 ounce of Gin
- 1 ounce of Campari
- 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Once you fill a glass with ice, pour in each ingredient. Then, stir the ingredients until they're chilled. Using a cocktail shaker with ice inside might be more efficient. Finally, garnish with the orange twist and enjoy.
5. Negroni Sbagliato
If you’d like to serve a bubbly version of a classic Negroni, consider adding the Negroni Sbagliato to your cocktail menu. The only difference is that the gin is replaced with prosecco. In the Italian language, the word “sbagliato” translates to “mistaken” or “wrong” in English. This is a reference to the mixup of gin and prosecco by the bartender.
How to Make a Negroni Sbagliato
If you know how to make a Negroni, then you’ll quickly remember how to make a Negroni Sbagliato. Just follow this recipe:
- 1 ounce of Campari
- 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth
- 1 ounce of Prosecco
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Begin by filling a glass with ice. Then, pour in all three ingredients and stir gently. You don't want to use a cocktail shaker for a Negroni Sbagliato due to the carbonation of the prosecco. Then, garnish with the orange twist and serve.
6. Garibaldi
If you haven’t noticed yet, the Italians find citrus beverages very appealing! The Garibaldi blends the sweet yet citrus taste of orange juice with the robust flavor profile of bittersweet liqueur. It has a lower ABV than other Italian cocktails, making it a popular go-to with lunch or dinner.
How to Make a Garibaldi
To prepare the cocktail named after Italian hero, Giuseppe Garibaldi, just follow this simple recipe:
- 1.5 ounces of Campari
- 3 ounces of orange juice
- Orange slice (for garnish)
After adding some ice to a glass, gently stir together the Campari and orange juice. Finish by garnishing the rim of the glass with an orange slice and enjoy.
7. Campari Spritz
If you’d like to add an Italian cocktail recipe to your menu that’s kind of like an Aperol Spritz but a bit more robust, try a Campari Spritz instead. Its flavor is slightly more bitter and the whole recipe is perfect as an aperitivo, or aperitif–a drink one consumes before a meal to enhance their appetite.
How to Make a Campari Spritz
Crafting a Campari Spritz is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow this recipe:
- 3 ounces of Prosecco
- 2 ounces of Campari
- 1 ounce of soda water
- Orange slice (for garnish)
After adding your desired amount of ice to a glass, gently stir in all three ingredients. Don’t forget to garnish the glass with an orange slice! And that’s it–serve and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Cocktails
When you have such a wide variety of Italian cocktails to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down your offerings. But at the same time, do you really have to? Some of the best restaurants in Italy and the United States, among many other countries, have an extensive cocktail menu. Plus, implementing one is the first step toward establishing an award-winning beverage program.
But before you can do this, it’s vital that you learn as much as possible about the significance of Italian cocktails, or any other beverages for that matter. The following FAQ section should serve as a great starting point!
What Are the Best Italian Cocktails for Beginners?
Several of the best Italian cocktails for beginners include the following beverages:
- Peach Bellini
- Aperol Spritz
- Negroni
- Limoncello Spritz
- Garibaldi
Can I Use Different Ingredients for Italian Cocktail Drinks?
Yes, you can use different types of ingredients when preparing Italian cocktails. For instance, if you don’t have prosecco for an Aperol Spritz, you can substitute it with champagne. Or, if you’re preparing a Negroni recipe and realize you don’t have gin, you could substitute it with a high-quality vodka.
What Is the Most Popular Italian Cocktail of All Time?
The most popular Italian cocktail of all time is the Aperol Spritz. For over 100 years, the classic Aperol Spritz recipe has been a popular go-to cocktail all around the world. While the recipe stems from Northern Italy, it can be found in the United States and beyond.
What Makes An Aperol Spritz So Popular?
The Aperol Spritz is such a popular cocktail due to its low caloric content and refreshing flavor. It’s also worth noting that the Aperol Spritz recipe is super simple to follow. Therefore, it’s just as easy for bar staff members to learn as it is for consumers to create at home. As a result, this Italian cocktail recipe has gained massive exposure throughout the last several decades.
What Cocktails Are Most Popular In Italy?
The most popular cocktails in Italy consist of the following drinks:
- Negroni
- Aperol Spritz
- Americano
- Bellini
- Margarita
- Limoncello Spritz
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