The summer seems to have only just got going, yet here we are back at the beginning of September with the crisper days of autumn lying ahead. If you do not feel quite ready for the transition to cooler and shorter days, here are some stylish Italian cocktails to help you eek out the last drops of the summer spirit.
Cocktails are part of the culture in Italy, as an ‘aperitivo’, or pre-dinner drink, is a customary way to mark the transition from the end of the working day to the evening. It helps to stimulate the appetite, but it’s also a social occasion as the Italians drop into stylish bars on their way home from the office to meet friends and colleagues.
These recipes are easy to make at home or as part of an online cocktail making class.
Negroni
The negroni is the quintessential Italian cocktail, said to have been created in Florence in 1919 when Count Camillo Negroni asked for a stronger version of the americano. The negroni has an intense and complex flavour and is an eye-catching deep red colour, so it’s a true showstopper.
It’s made with equal parts dry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, combined with ice in a tumbler glass. Stir to gently chill and dilute the drink, and serve with a twist of orange peel. It pairs well with prosciutto and ham with parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.
Bellini
The bellini is the ultimate sweet and summery cocktail to hold onto that holiday feeling as the season gently wanes. The drink was invented in Venice during the 1940s, and is an elegant combination of fruits and fizz. It’s super simple to make: simply fill a chilled Champagne flute about a third of the way full with peach puree, and top up with prosecco.
You can make your own variations by swapping out the peach puree for mango, or blending the puree with ice for a frosted drink. It’s perfect to enjoy on celebratory occasions or to pair with light snacks.
Aperol spritz
It would be impossible to discuss Italian aperitivo culture without mentioning the Aperol spritz. It is now a worldwide favourite that tastes like the essence of summer, with its cheery tangerine colour and refreshing bittersweet taste. The drink was originally created in Padua, Italy in 1919, but it has soared in popularity over the past decade.
The drink is easy to prepare, with just three ingredients. Fill a wine glass with ice, and add a 50ml measure of Aperol to each glass. Add 75ml of prosecco, and top up with soda water, garnishing with an orange slice. It’s a light low-alcohol drink that won’t go straight to your head if you have an empty stomach.
