Best Italian Cocktails

We have spent a lot of time in Italy and one of the things we like to do is try the best Italian cocktails.

Italy is renowned for its cuisine, wine, and spirits, and its cocktails are no exception. From refreshing spritzes to rich, decadent after-dinner drinks, Italian cocktails offer a diverse range of flavors and textures that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best Italian cocktails that you can enjoy at home or on your next trip to Italy.

I’ve included recipes so you can try making one of these classic Italian cocktails at home and transport yourself to the heart of Italy.

Table of Contents

hand holding an aperol Spritz Italian cocktails in Rome

Italian Spritz Cocktails

Italian Spritz drinks are classic cocktails that have become increasingly popular worldwide. They are the perfect way to start off an evening or to cool down on a hot day.

Typically, these drinks are made by combining a bitter liqueur, such as Campari or Aperol, with white wine and soda water. The result is a refreshing and slightly bitter beverage that is perfect for sipping. Here are two recipes to try at home:

Aperol Spritz

This iconic Italian cocktail is made with Aperol, a bitter orange liqueur, Prosecco, and soda water. It’s the perfect aperitivo drink, served before dinner to stimulate the appetite. The Aperol Spritz is easy to make and refreshingly bitter, making it an ideal summer drink.

The spritzes were my go-to on warm days, especially while we were in Sorrento and on the island of Ischia. The Aperol spritz isn’t my absolute favorite, despite them being so popular and ubiquitous, but it does hit the spot when the sun is out.

Aperol Spritz Recipe

3 oz. Prosecco
2 oz. Aperol
1 oz. soda water
Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions: Fill a wine glass with ice, pour in the Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice.

Italian Negroni

One of the best Italian cocktails, a negroni

Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that has been enjoyed for over a century. It is a sophisticated and refreshing cocktail made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, garnished with an orange twist. The bitter and sweet notes of this cocktail are perfectly balanced, making it a popular choice for aperitivo hour in Italy.

Italian Negroni Recipe

1 oz. gin
1 oz. sweet vermouth
1 oz. Campari

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Stir until well combined and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and enjoy! For those who prefer a slightly sweeter taste, you can add a splash of soda water or orange juice to the mix.

Enjoy the bubbly and refreshing taste of these Italian spritz drinks.

Bombardino

Bombardino is a traditional Italian cocktail that is popular during the winter months. I “discovered” it when we were hiking the AV2 in the Italian Dolomites. It may have been September, but a toasty beverage hit the spot after a steep hike in the rain.

It is made with equal parts of Advocaat, a sweet and creamy liqueur made from eggs, sugar, and brandy, and hot brandy or rum. The drink is typically served hot and is often topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Bombardino is said to have originated in the ski resorts of the Italian Alps, where it provided warmth and comfort to skiers and snowboarders after a day on the slopes. The drink has a rich, decadent flavor and a creamy texture that makes it a perfect treat on a cold winter’s day. It can also be enjoyed as a dessert drink after a meal or as a cozy nightcap before bed.

Bombardino Recipe

1 oz. brandy
1 oz. Advocaat
Hot chocolate
Whipped cream, for garnish

Instructions: Fill a glass with hot chocolate. Add the brandy and Advocaat and stir. Top with whipped cream and serve.

Peach Bellini

We enjoyed sipping bellinis while sitting alongside a canal in Venice, which I highly recommend!

See my Venice Itinerary for First Time Visitors.

Peach Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail made with fresh peach puree, Prosecco or Champagne, and a touch of sweetness.

It is believed to have originated in Venice, Italy, in the 1940s, and has since become a popular drink worldwide. The sweetness of the ripe peaches is balanced by the dryness of the sparkling wine, resulting in a refreshing and effervescent drink perfect for a hot summer day.

Peach Bellini is often served as a brunch or pre-dinner cocktail and can be garnished with a slice of peach or a sprig of mint for a touch of color and flavor.

Peach Bellini Recipe

2 ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
1 bottle Prosecco
1/2 cup peach nectar
1 tbsp. sugar
Peach slice, for garnish

Instructions: In a blender, puree the peaches, peach nectar, and sugar until smooth. Pour the peach mixture into a pitcher and add the Prosecco. Stir gently. Pour into glasses and garnish with a peach slice.

Sgroppino

This is a popular Venetian cocktail made with lemon sorbet, vodka, and Prosecco. It’s a refreshing and fizzy drink that’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. Sgroppino is often served as a palate cleanser between courses or as a dessert drink.

Sgroppino Recipe

1/2 cup lemon sorbet
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. Prosecco
Lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions: In a blender, combine the lemon sorbet and vodka until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with Prosecco. Garnish with lemon zest.

Italian Margarita

Normally when we talk about an Italian Margarita we are referring to pizza. This twist on the classic Margarita cocktail is made with tequila, Amaretto, lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s not a traditional Italian cocktail, but it is a deliciously sweet and tangy drink that’s perfect for any occasion.

Italian Margarita Recipe

2 oz. tequila
1 oz. Amaretto
1 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Salt, for rim

Instructions: Rim a glass with salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a shaker, combine the tequila, Amaretto, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass.

Disaronno Amaretto Sour

Amaretto Sour Cocktail on the Rocks with Cherry and Orange Garnish in Dark Luxurious Bar

Disaronno Amaretto is a popular Italian liqueur that’s made from almonds and apricot kernels. The Disaronno Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that combines the nutty, sweet flavor of Disaronno with sour mix and a splash of soda water.

Disaronno Amaretto Sour Recipe

2 oz. Disaronno Amaretto
1 oz. sour mix
Splash of soda water
Cherry and orange slice, for garnish

Instructions: Fill a glass with ice. In a shaker, combine the Disaronno Amaretto and sour mix with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass. Top with a splash of soda water and garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

Tuaca Cocktails

lemon drop and prosecco cocktails in Italy

Tuaca is a smooth and sweet Italian liqueur that’s made from a blend of vanilla, citrus, and spices. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails, from the Tuaca Lemon Drop to the Tuaca Hot Toddy.

Tuaca Lemon Drop recipe

2 oz. Tuaca liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Sugar, for rim
Lemon slice, for garnish

Instructions: Rim a martini glass with sugar. In a shaker, combine the Tuaca, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into the sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve. Enjoy the sweet and tangy taste of Tuaca Lemon Drop, a perfect cocktail for any occasion!

Hugo Cocktail

cocktails on a picnic table with Sassolungo Dolomite mountains in the back

The Hugo cocktail is a refreshing and light drink that originated in Italy and has become increasingly popular in recent years. I think it might have been my favorite cold cocktail. I loved drinking on the deck of a rifugio above the town of Ortisei (where we spent three weeks) during lunch or at an afternoon cocktail date with my husband.

It is made with a combination of elderflower syrup, Prosecco or other sparkling wine, soda water, and fresh mint leaves. The resulting drink is sweet, slightly floral, and effervescent, making it a perfect choice for warm weather or as a pre-dinner aperitif.

Hugo Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz elderflower syrup
4 oz Prosecco or other sparkling wine
2 oz soda water
Fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes

Instructions: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and a few fresh mint leaves. Pour in the elderflower syrup and soda water. Top the glass with Prosecco or sparkling wine. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Garnish with additional mint leaves and enjoy!

Italian Greyhound Cocktail

Cocktail drink on stone board. Alcoholic beverage with grapefruit and ice

This refreshing drink is made with grapefruit juice, vodka, and Campari. It’s a tart and tangy drink that’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

Italian Greyhound Cocktail Recipe:

2 oz. grapefruit juice
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Campari
Grapefruit wedge, for garnish

Instructions: Rim a glass with salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a shaker, combine the grapefruit juice, vodka, and Campari with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Strega Cocktails

Strega is a bright yellow Italian liqueur that’s made from a blend of herbs and spices. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails, from the Strega Sour to the Strega Collins.

Strega Sour Recipe

2 oz Strega liqueur
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 egg white
ice
lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Strega liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds, until the mixture is frothy and well combined. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. Serve and enjoy your Strega Sour cocktail!

Note: If you’re concerned about using raw egg whites in your cocktail, you can use pasteurized egg whites or omit them entirely. The egg white is added to give the cocktail a frothy texture and silky mouthfeel, but the cocktail will still taste delicious without it.

Italian After Dinner Drink

After-dinner drinks are an essential part of the Italian dining experience. Some popular after-dinner drinks include limoncello, amaro, and grappa. Limoncello is a sweet and tangy lemon liqueur that’s perfect for sipping after a meal, while amaro is a bitter and herbal liqueur that’s said to aid digestion. Grappa is a strong and fiery spirit that’s made from grape pomace and is often served in small glasses as a digestif.

chalkboard listing Italian cocktails and prices

Crodino

This non-alcoholic Italian drink is made from a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit juices. It’s a refreshing and aromatic drink that’s perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavors of Italy without the alcohol.

In conclusion, Italian cocktails offer a rich and diverse range of flavors and textures that are sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing spritz, a rich and decadent after-dinner drink, or something in between, there’s an Italian cocktail that’s perfect for you.

Best Italian Cocktails