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I've curated this list of 13 Italian Summer Drinks, the fifth post in my Summer Drinks Around the World series in conjunction with Episode 60 I Wanted to Encourage People from my podcast guest, Letitia Clark, author of Bitter Honey, full of recipes and stories from the idyllic island of Sardinia.
I'm sure many of you, like myself, dream of spending summer in Italy, where the food, culture, and scenery create an idyllic, relaxing holiday. If you can't spare the time or money to visit Italy right now, I have found 13 of the country's favorite Italian cocktails that you can make at home. These recipes will transport you to the Amalfi Coast from your backyard, perfect for happy hour or simply beating the heat. These Italian classics are perfect for a hot day, as they have already been tested by the infamously hot Italian summers. Whether you are a cocktail connoisseur or it is your first time making an Italian cocktail, you'll find the perfect drink that will satisfy you until you can experience it in Italy yourself!
Check out more delicious drinks in my Summer Drinks from Around the World series!
How to Use This List
- I have separated out the drinks based on the primary alcohol that the drink is composed of.
- There are a few drinks that I have listed that are a mixture of two or more liquors, but I only put them in one alcohol category to not cause any confusion.
- I tried to only put Italian cocktail recipes instead of Italian-inspired cocktails, so if there isn't a classic cocktail on this list that you know originates from Italy, please let me know and I would be happy to add it to the list!
- The list is organized as follows: Italian Wine Cocktails, Italian Vermouth Cocktails, Italian Gin Cocktails, and Italian Amaretto Cocktails.
Italian Wine Cocktails
The list below showcases some of your favorite Italian drinks to enjoy during your summer holidays starting with all-day cocktails, aperitivo cocktails, and dessert cocktails. Starting with the classic Aperol Spritz recipe (aka Spritz Veneziano), this bright orange drink is one of the most popular Italian cocktails for a reason. Part Aperol, dry Prosecco, and a splash of club soda which makes it a popular drink for any time of day.
Hugo Cocktails are another example of a Spritz cocktail that combines Prosecco (sparking wine or sparking white wine), elderflower (syrup) liqueur, lime, and mint leaves, the resulting drink is a refreshing aperitivo to your summer meals.
Lemon Sgroppino is an excellent dessert cocktail that is made of lemon sorbet, vodka (or grappa), and Prosecco and is a great way to end your meal with one of the best Italian cocktails--though I might be biased due to my sweet tooth.
Perfect Aperol Spritz
Cooks in 5 minutesWe love this classic Aperol Spritz cocktail recipe with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water. We first tried these in Italy and have loved them ever since. An Aperol Spritz tastes mildly bitter, with an orange and herbal sweetness.It’s light, refreshing, effervescent (bubbly), and has lower alcohol content than other cocktails.
Bellini
Cooks in 10 minutesLearn how to make a bellini! This classic sparkling cocktail is fruity, refreshing, and perfect for brunch. It's easy to make with 2 ingredients: peaches and prosecco.
Negroni Sbagliato
Cooks in 4 minutesGrab your Campari, vermouth and prosecco because we are making a Negroni Sbagliato. It's stunning! Essentially a Negroni Spritz, the gin is swapped with prosecco for a bubbly take on the classic 3 ingredient, equal-parts cocktail.
Hugo Spritz
Cooks in 5 minutesThis refreshing cocktail combines beautiful floral and herbal elements, elderflower and mint, with prosecco and lime to make the perfect aperitivo.
Rossini Cocktail
Cooks in 7 minutesThe Rossini is a classic Italian cocktail similar to the Bellini. Here you add strawberry puree to Prosecco for a delicious and fun drink that's great for any ocassion!
Sgroppino, a Refreshing Italian Lemon Cocktail or Dessert
Cooks in 5 minutesA refreshing, icy lemon cocktail which can also be served as dessert. First created in Venice, Italy.
Italian Vermouth Cocktails
You would be mistaken if you thought that the Americano cocktail listed below was referring to the coffee drink that mixes espresso and hot water. Fun fact though, if you are looking for a non-alcoholic summertime coffee drink, caffè shakerato is the cold version of a hot Americano (not the cocktail) and is simply a shot of espresso shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice and served in a martini glass. Back to the Americano cocktail, it originated in Milan in a bar owned by Gaspare Campari and was coined the name Americano when there was an influx of Americans enjoying the drink in Campari's bar during the American Prohibition. It is not hard to see why it was so loved. An Americano is mixed with sweet Vermouth, Campari, and a splash of soda water or club soda and garnished with an orange slice.
Americano Cocktail
Cooks in 2 minutesFirst served in the 1860s in Gaspare Campari's bar in Milan, this was originally known as the 'Milano-Torino' as Campari came from Milano (Milan) and sweet vermouth from Torino (Turin). It was not until Prohibition that the Italians noticed an influx of Americans who enjoyed the drink and so dubbed it Americano. - Diffords Guide
Milano-Torino Cocktail: A Timeless Classic Italian Drink
Milano Torino cocktail is prepared by combining equal parts of Campari and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass, chilled with ice. These two ingredients are the backbone of the cocktail and provide its signature bitter and sweet flavors.
Martini Fiero Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesMartini Fiero and tonic is going to be your newest cocktail love! A ruby red cocktail with gorgeous floral and bittersweet notes that will transport you to the Mediterranean shores on a breezy summer day.
Italian Gin Cocktails
The blue Angelo Azzuro is meant to represent the blue grotto in Capri, Italy, or maybe to reflect the blue, beautiful sky on a summer's day enjoying some refreshing cocktails.
If you are confused as to why Negroni is listed in this category and Negroni Sbagliato is listed in another category, interestingly, these Negroni cocktails are different from each other. A classic Negroni is equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari with a slice of orange on a lowball glass from Northern Italy. Negroni Sbagliato translates to "mistake" because sparkling wine was added instead of gin. Some stories say that it was named this because it was a mistake to add sparkling wine, while other stories claim that it was created during the Women's movement when more women were coming to bars and needed "something more suitable for their palettes" (The Guardian). Whatever the reason, both the Negroni and Negroni Sbagliato are a popular choice as a classic Italian cocktail.
Angelo Azzurro
Cooks in 5 minutesThe Angelo Azzurro, which translates to "Blue Angel" in English, is a sophisticated Italian cocktail that combines gin, blue curacao and tripe sec. Traditionally served in a martini glass with a lemon peel, it is as enjoyable to look at as it is to drink. Cin cin!
Italian Amaretto Cocktails
Italian amaretto cocktails, like The Godfather and Amaro Sour, bring an air of refinement to your glass. These lesser-known drinks highlight the unique flavors of Italian liqueur, such as Disaronno Amaretto used in The Godfather. Though they may be an acquired taste, both cocktails offer a delightful insight into summertime Italian recipes for alcoholic drinks.
Godfather Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesScotch lovers, rejoice. The Godfather cocktail requires just two ingredients for a well-balanced and delicious sipper. Grab your scotch and amaretto, then get ready to indulge.
Amaretto Sour - Italian pleasure!
This drink is an Italian delight!
How to Make Strawberry (Lemon) Jam From Devon
This strawberry jam recipe comes to us from Letitia Clark, author of the visually stunning cookbook "Bitter Honey", a compilation of stories and recipes from the Island of Sardinia. Of course, any of us would easily dream of life on this Italian island, where relaxing is a way of life, and eating is an art form. The appeal is obvious. However, when I learned that Letitia was raised on an apple orchard in Devon, the move to Sardinia became a little more difficult for me to understand. After all, as I told Letitia in our conversation - "Devon is my Sardinia"! The words "Devon", "scones", "clotted cream" and "strawberry jam" will always be almost magical to me - until I visit Devon, I'll continue to wonder if it really exists or if it's only found in books. That's why I was delighted when Letitia shared this recipe that connects her to her grandmother, Devon, and now, to Sardinia as well.
Listen to Letitia Now
My podcast guest, Letitia Clark, author of the stunning book (a cookbook and memoir) “Bitter Honey” joined me for her episode "I Wanted to Encourage People". Letitia has filled the book to the brim with recipes. We got into her journey about her professional chef career in London before moving to Sardinia, which is off the coast of Italy. This changed her direction from being a professional chef to a home cook and author.
I hope you will listen to her stimulating conversation on topics of home, self-doubt, the necessity of transparency when women seek to empower other women, and the definition of authenticity, both in and out of every kitchen.
FAQ:
What is an Aperitivo?
As this blog post from Ms Adventures In Italy states, you shouldn't think of aperitivo as "happy hour" because the insinuates that the drinks will be discounted during a certain time of day, usually in the afternoon. Aperitivo is simply a pre-dinner drink, and as the blog says, is meant to open your palate before dinner. They are split into two different categories, non-alcoholic and alcoholic. Some of the common alcoholic Aperitivo drinks are:
- Negroni
- Americano
- Spritz
- Wine or sparkling red or white wine/Prosecco
- Belini
source: Ms Adventures In Italy
What is a Digestivi?
Much like an Aperitivo is enjoyed at the beginning of a meal, a Digestivi is enjoyed at the end of a meal. According to Eataly, they are often made from a class of amari (Italian bitters). It is grape brandy that is infused with different kinds of herbs, flowers, bark, citrus peel, and spices. It was thought that the bitter taste of the amari would help speed up digestion, therefore it started being drunk at the end of meals. There are hundreds of varieties of amari and which one you will get will differ based on the region you are in.
source: Eataly
What is the National Drink of Italy?
There are so many popular Italian drink options, however, Campari is the national drink of Italy. It is an Italian bitter-flavored liqueur that is dark red and flavored with herbs and fruits.
source: The Mixer
More Summer Drink Recipes Around the World
Italian Summer Drinks: 13 Cool & Classic Cocktail Recipes
13 refreshing classic Italian cocktail recipes including Italian Wine Cocktails, Vermouth Cocktails, Gin Cocktails, Amaretto Cocktails, Campari Cocktails, and Whiskey Cocktails.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Italian Wine Cocktails
Aperol Spritz from Inspired Taste
Bellini from Love And Lemons
Negroni Sbagliato from Craft And Cocktails
Hugo Spritz from Sip And Feast
Rossini from This Italian Kitchen
Lemon Sgroppino from Christina's Cucina
- Italian Vermouth Cocktails
Americano from Esquimalt Vermouth
Milano-Torino from Micaela's Kitchen
Fiero & Tonic from Sugar And Cloth
- Italian Gin Cocktails
Angelo Azzurro from Sip And Feast
Negroni from Ricardo Cuisine
- Italian Amaretto Cocktails
The Godfather from Dishes Delish
Amaro Sour from Simple Joy
Directions
- Listen to The Storied Recipe Podcast Episode 60: I Wanted to Encourage People from my podcast guest, Letita Clark, author of Bitter Honey, featuring recipes and stories from the Italian island of Sardinia while you make these Italian cocktail recipes.
Notes
- Listen to The Storied Recipe Podcast Episode 60: I Wanted to Encourage People from my podcast guest, Letita Clark, author of Bitter Honey, featuring recipes and stories from the Italian island of Sardinia while you make these Italian cocktail recipes.
Would love to hear from you!