10 Classic Italian Cocktails: Sip on Timeless Elegance (2023)
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
There’s nothing quite like the charm of classic Italian cocktails to transport your taste buds straight to the cobblestone streets of Italy.
As a seasoned mixologist, I’ve mixed and savored various classic cocktails, but these Italian signatures remain an eternal favorite.
So, if you want to try Italian drinks, start on these classic recipes.
Top 10 Classic Italian Cocktail Recipes To Try
1. Negroni Cocktail
A quintessential Italian aperitivo, the Negroni is as straightforward as it is sophisticated, offering a perfect bitter-sweet balance. Try it, and you’ll know why it’s one of the most popular Italian cocktails!
“Negroni is Italy’s bold aperitif, balancing bitter with sweet.” – Liquor Laboratory
Prep Time: 1 min
Total Time: 2 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz gin
- 1oz Campari
- 1oz red vermouth
- Cute Orange peel (for garnish)
Instructions: Combine equal parts Campari, gin, and vermouth in a glass over ice cubes. Stir until cold and garnish with an orange peel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★★
2. Aperol Spritz Cocktail
The Aperol Spritz is a refreshing cocktail and a gorgeous golden orange drink, giving the Mediterranean sunset vibe. It’s a popular summer drink in Northern Italy.
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 3oz Dry Prosecco (or any sparkling white wine)
- 2oz Aperol
- 1oz soda water
- Orange slice (for garnish)
Instructions: Pour Dry Prosecco, Aperol, and soda into a wine glass with ice, gently stir, and garnish the Aperol Spritz with an orange slice or your favorite citrus fruit like clementines, mandarin oranges, or tangerines.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★★
3. Limoncello Spritz
The Limoncello Spritz is a zesty and effervescent Italian spritz popular in Southern Italy. This classic Italian cocktail is a perfect drink served after dinner.
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz Limoncello (or Italian lemon liqueur)
- 2oz Prosecco
- 1oz soda water
- Lemon slice (for garnish)
Instructions: Combine Limoncello, Prosecco, and soda in a highball glass with ice, stir gently, and garnish with half a slice of lemon.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★★
4. Rossini Cocktail
The Rossini candy-colored cocktail combines Prosecco and puréed strawberries, making it a sparkling Italian cocktail akin to the Bellini but with a berry twist (since Bellini uses peach puree).
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 6 mins
Ingredients:
- 3oz Prosecco
- 2oz simple syrup
- 1oz fresh strawberry puree
Instructions: Pour strawberry puree and simple syrup into a Champagne flute and top with Prosecco. Stir lightly, then serve.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Fun Fact: This drink is named after the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini. It’s a Bellini spinoff, substituting peach purée and peach slice with strawberry purée and strawberry slice.
5. Americano Cocktail
The Americano cocktail offers a lighter touch, with a nod to the classic Negroni, substituting gin with a splash of soda, alongside Campari, the national drink of Italy.
Prep Time: 2 mins
Total Time: 4 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz Campari
- 1oz sweet vermouth
- Club soda
- Lemon peel (for garnish)
Instructions: Combine Campari and vermouth in a glass with ice, pour soda on top, and garnish with a lemon peel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
6. Boulevardier Cocktail
The Boulevardier is a whiskey lover’s answer to the Negroni, with a rich and smooth depth, making it an Italian favorite!
Prep Time: 2 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz bourbon
- 1oz Campari
- 1oz sweet vermouth
Instructions: Stir bourbon, Campari, and vermouth with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry or orange peel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
7. Milano-Torino
Milano-Torino, or “Mi-To,” combines bitter Campari and sweet vermouth, creating a storied and robust aperitif.
Prep Time: 1 min
Total Time: 2 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz Campari
- 1oz sweet vermouth
Instructions: Mix Campari and sweet vermouth over ice and serve with an optional orange garnish.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
8. II Cardinale Cocktail (The Cardinal)
II Cardinale is a potent, dry drink – an iconic Italian cocktail often considered the Negroni’s sharper cousin.
Prep Time: 2 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz gin
- 1oz dry vermouth
- 0.5oz Campari
Instructions: Mix gin, vermouth, and Campari over ice and stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Top the drink with a lemon or orange twist.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
9. Blue Angel Cocktail
The Blue Angel drink is a heavenly blend with a citrus kick, perfect for those who adore a creamy yet zesty flavor profile.
Prep Time: 2 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz gin
- 1oz blue curaçao
- 1oz lemon juice (or fresh orange juice)
- 1/2oz triple sec
- 1oz cream
Instructions: Shake gin, blue curaçao, lemon juice, triple sec, and cream with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
10. Hugo Cocktail
The Hugo cocktail is a light, elderflower-infused sparkler, perfect for sipping on a sunny terrace.
“The Italian approach to cocktails is to keep it pure and simple.” – Giuseppe Gallo, Cocktail Evangelist, Amaro & Vermouth Expert
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 3oz Prosecco
- 2oz elderflower syrup
- Seltzer or sparkling water
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime slice (for garnish)
Instructions: Mix Prosecco and elderflower cordial in a rocks glass filled with ice, top with seltzer, and garnish with mint and lime.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
FAQs
What are some classic Italian cocktails with vodka?
Some of the classic Italian mixed drinks with vodka include Sgroppino [1], a Prosecco slushie, and Espresso Martini, a classic cocktail crafted with freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
Are there modern Italian cocktails?
Yes, there are modern Italian cocktails, infusing the Italian tradition of spirits with contemporary flavors and techniques, like the Negroni Sbagliato (in which you’ll use sparkling wine instead of gin), Garibaldi cocktail, and Aperitini (which are both enhanced with a freshly squeezed orange juice).
It may take time to get used to these flavors if you’ve never had them before, but for some, it’s more of an acquired taste.
What are the best classic Italian cocktails to order at a bar?
The best Italian classics to order at a bar include the slightly bitter Negroni and refreshing drinks like Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz for an authentic taste of Italy’s rich cocktail culture.
In Summary
Each classic Italian cocktail has a distinct story to tell, a piece of cultural history served up in a glass. From the robust Negroni to the simple Godfather, these top classics provide a taste of Italy’s finest.
Whether you are into bold bitterness or sweet effervescence, you can surely find joy and satisfaction in these Italian cocktails [2].
Mind you, an Italian beverage isn’t just a red wine best for cured meats- it also offers mixed drinks you need to experience. Cheers!
References:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicoletrilivas/2020/06/15/sgroppino-cocktail-italian-drinks-for-summer/
- https://m.timesofindia.com/life-style/food-news/world-cocktail-day-interesting-facts-about-cocktails-no-one-told-you/photostory/82595948.cms
