Refresh with these Italian Summer Cocktail Recipes
Who doesn’t like a good cocktail?
Now make it an Italian Cocktail!
Summertime is upon us! There is nothing that beats a warm summer's night paired with your favorite cocktail and surrounded by good company. Here are your 6 go-to Italian cocktail recipes that will be sure to impress your friends.
1) Spritz Veneziano (or what we American’s like to call an Aperol Spritz)
The Spritz Veneziano to us Americans is also known as the Aperol spritz or, in Italy, simply a spritz. It became popular in Northern Italy and has become the Italian summer drink. With its fizzy orange flavor and satisfying sunset color, this is a must try refreshing cocktail that you and your friends will love.
Ingredients
- ½ ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- ¾ ounces club soda
- Ice
-
Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
1. Fill a glass with ice
2. Add the Aperol, Prosecco, and club soda. Stir.
3. Garnish with the orange peel
Recipe by Karen Frazier
2) Belini
The Bellini is every Italian brunch go-to. The Bellini was invented in Italy in the 1930s after Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. His infamous paintings matched the color of this classic peach and sparkling wine cocktail. This cocktail has become a brunch staple in Italy and all over the world!
- 2 ounces white peach purée, chilled
- 4 ounces chilled Prosecco
1. In a Champagne flute, combine the peach purée and the Prosecco.
2. Stir briefly.
Recipe by Karen Frazier
3. Negroni
The Negroni cocktail is a blend of bitter Campari, aromatic dry gin, and sweet vermouth. The cocktail was invented in Florence, Italy around 1920. Almost every bar has a variation of this drink and it has become an Italian mainstay. Serve it in a rocks glass on ice!
- Ice
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 ounces dry Prosecco
- Orange twist for garnish
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Add the Campari and vermouth. Stir to chill.
- Top off with the prosecco. Garnish with the orange twist.
Recipe by Karen Frazier
4. Garibaldi
This sunny orange cocktail is named after an Italian revolutionary, and it contains classic Italian ingredients including Campari and freshly squeezed orange juice. The result is citrus, sweet, and bitter in perfect balance in your new favorite summer drink!
- Ice
- 1½ ounces Campari
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- Orange wedge for garnish
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the Campari and orange juice. Stir.
- Garnish with the orange wedge.
Recipe by Karen Frazier
5. Angelo Azzuro
The Angelo Azzurro, meaning “blue angel” originated in Italy and is named after the blue waters that surround the country. Not only is this blue color stunning, but the taste is also immaculate and worthwhile!
- Ice
- 1½ ounces triple sec
- ½ ounce blue curaçao
- 3 ounces dry gin
- Lemon peel for garnish
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, combine the triple sec, blue curaçao, and gin.
- Add the ice and stir to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.
Recipe by Karen Frazier
6. Sgroppino al Limone
This Italian cocktail is a combination of lemon sorbetto, Prosecco, and vodka - the perfect balance of sweet and strong. Make this in a batch (recipe serves four), freeze for a few hours, and drink dessert Italian style! A promising boozy dessert drink to share with friends and family!
- 2 cups lemon sorbetto
- 1 cup dry Prosecco
- 2 ounces vodka
- Mint leaves for garnish
- Whisk the sorbetto in a bowl to soften. Add the Prosecco and vodka and whisk until smooth
- Freeze for two hours.
- Pour into 4 highball glasses and garnish with mint leaves.
7. Aloe Margarita
Our Bonus Cocktail and Editors Pick! Although not Italian, our must-try summer drink …
- 2.5 ounces Aloe Vera Juice
- 2 ounces 100% Agave Tequila
- 1.5 ounces Lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey syrup**
- Sea salt for the rim
- In a cocktail shaker or jar shake the aloe vera, tequila, lime, and honey together.
- Strain into a salt rimmed, ice filled glass.
