Italian cocktails are synonymous with elegance, tradition, and flavour. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet evening, these recipes bring a touch of Italian sophistication to your glass. Below, you’ll find the ten best Italian cocktails, complete with their recipes, offering a true taste of la dolce vita. Palazzo Passerini has it’s own honesty bar where you can try your hand at making many of the cocktails below during your stay in Cortona.
- Negroni
Ingredients:
- 30ml gin
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth
Recipe: Combine all ingredients in a glass filled with ice. Stir well and garnish with an orange twist.
Make your own Aperil Spritz at the honesty bar at Palazzo Passerini
- Aperol Spritz
Ingredients:
- 60ml Aperol
- 90ml Prosecco
- Splash of soda water
Recipe: Pour Aperol and Prosecco over ice in a wine glass. Add soda water and garnish with an orange slice.
- Bellini
Ingredients:
- 60ml peach purée
- 90ml Prosecco
Recipe: Gently mix the peach purée with Prosecco in a champagne flute. Serve immediately.
- Americano
Ingredients:
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- Splash of soda water
Recipe: Build Campari and vermouth over ice in a highball glass. Top with soda and garnish with an orange wedge.
- Sgroppino
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop of lemon sorbet
- 30ml vodka
- 90ml Prosecco
Recipe: Whisk the sorbet and vodka together in a bowl, then slowly add Prosecco. Serve in a chilled glass.
- Hugo Spritz
Ingredients:
- 30ml elderflower liqueur
- 90ml Prosecco
- Splash of soda water
- Fresh mint leaves and lime wedge
Recipe: Mix all ingredients in a glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint and lime.
- Espresso Martini (Italian-style)
Ingredients:
- 30ml vodka
- 30ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- 30ml freshly brewed espresso
Recipe: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
- Rossini
Ingredients:
- 60ml fresh strawberry purée
- 90ml Prosecco
Recipe: Combine the purée and Prosecco gently in a flute glass.
- Garibaldi
Ingredients:
- 60ml Campari
- 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
Recipe: Pour Campari into a highball glass with ice. Top with orange juice and garnish with an orange slice.
- Limoncello Collins
Ingredients:
- 30ml limoncello
- 30ml gin
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- Soda water to top
Recipe: Shake limoncello, gin, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass over ice, and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
These Italian cocktails bring timeless charm to any occasion. Experiment with these recipes, and you’ll transport yourself straight to Italy’s piazzas and coastlines. Cheers—or as they say in Italy, Salute! At Palazzo Passerini we have an honesty bar with plenty of ingredients to make some of these cocktails. If there are certain ingredients you would like us to stock before you arrive let us know!
www.palazzopasserini.com