5 iconic Italian cocktails that have made the history of the country

Between unique celebrations and pure moments of leisure meeting or tranquility - as the aperitivo -  Italian cocktails attract the palates of those who, passing and strolling, find themselves - in the sweet escape given by languid mixes of experiences and sensations.

The history of Italian cocktails is very long and has its roots in the early twentieth century. In these years, Italy was in full creative and cultural effervescence. Not only; in recent years the importance of sociality was affirmed.

The latter, in fact, was celebrated through moments dedicated to sipping delicious glasses filled with a mix of dense and harmonious flavours.

This is how cocktails were born; as a culmination and setting for cultural and social meetings and moments.

Here, therefore, are some of the most loved Italian cocktails, and therefore sought after and requested in bars all over the world.

Born in Florence in 1919, the Negroni is the Italian cocktail par excellence.

The iconic Italian cocktail was born from an intuition of Count Camillo Negroni; In fact, he himself asked his barman, Fosco Scarzelli, to prepare him an "Americano", fortified with gin.

The very tasty Italian cocktail was immediately recognized and reproduced, it quickly became famous, becoming a symbol of Florence and of the Italian aperitif.

In the following years, the Negroni crossed the Italian borders, gaining fame throughout the world - until it was reproduced and renewed, through new variations and combinations of ingredients.

His preparation ritual, simple but precise, has become a real art, celebrated by bartenders all over the world.

Harmonious and tasty it is given by a perfect mix of gin, Campari and sweet red vermouth. The strong and refined taste captures anyone who tastes it, making it the most sought-after alcoholic aperitif in Italy.

The recipe involves combining and mixing the ingredients, which are as follows:

- 3 cl of gin;

- 3 cl of Campari;

- 3 cl of red vermouth;

- Ice;

- Orange zest (for garnish).

The Negroni is not just a cocktail, but a piece of Italian history that embodies the passion for life, the taste for good things and the creativity that has always distinguished our country.

The Bellini is an Italian cocktail born in Venice in the 1940s. This is an elegant and refined cocktail, whose original recipe involves only the use of two ingredients: white peach puree and Prosecco.

Born from the inspiration of Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry's Bar, the Italian cocktail takes on this name thanks to its rosy colour. This, in fact, reminded Giuseppe Cipriani himself of the toga of an angel designed by Bellini; hence the name came from.

The incredible combination, simple and refined, between the flavors of Prosecco and white peach puree, celebrated Italian seasonal flavours. In a short time, this Italian cocktail became very well known and was reproduced everywhere in the world.

The recipe, which first involves the preparation of the white peach puree and then the use of Prosecco, is as follows:

- 6 cl of prosecco;

- 3 cl of white peach puree;

- Ice.

The taste of this cocktail is delicate and harmonious; this makes it perfect for very sweet toasts, accompanied by a tasty dessert.

The Rossini, however, is a variant of the original Bellini - in which the peach puree is replaced by strawberry puree.

This Italian cocktail was born in the 1950s - in honor of the composer Gioachino Rossini.

Again, the sweet and fruity taste of this cocktail is desirable, especially for the celebration of special events. Replacing the peach puree with strawberry puree made this cocktail even more loved and desirable.

The recipe, in this case, is as follows:

- 5 cl of prosecco;

- 10 cl of strawberry puree;

- A few drops of lemon (optional);

- Fresh strawberry for garnish.

These two cocktails, both served in a flute, represent the essence of Venice, a city rich in history, art and culture. Their simplicity and refinement make them ambassadors of Italian taste in the world, appreciated by connoisseurs and mixology enthusiasts.

Cipriani has been able to reinterpret simple ingredients, such as fruit and prosecco, giving life to two iconic cocktails that continue to conquer the palates of people all over the world.

An aperitif born in Veneto, the Spritz has become a symbol of the indispensable happy hour ritual throughout Italy.

The origins of Spritz date back to the 19th century; in these years, the Austrian troops stationed in northern Italy began to dilute the local wine with water or seltzer to make it less alcoholic. The term "Spritz", in fact, comes from the Austrian word "Spritzen" which means "to spray".

Over time, the recipe has evolved and Spritz has become a popular aperitif in Veneto, especially in Venice and Padua.

At the end of the 20th century, Spritz experienced an explosive diffusion throughout Italy, becoming a symbol of the Italian aperitif.

The recipe for this iconic Italian cocktail is as follows:

- 6 cl of Aperol (or Bitter Campari)

- 9 cl of prosecco

- 3 cl of soda

- Ice

- Orange zest (for garnish).

First, a glass of wine is filled with ice; after which the Aperol (or Bitter Campari) is poured into the same glass; then Prosecco and soda are added. Finally, mix and garnish with orange peel.

Characterized by numerous variations, with more multifaceted nuances, the original recipe of the Italian cocktail involves the use of Aperol, prosecco white wine and seltzer, but there are numerous variations with Campari, Select or Cynar.

This aperitif knows how to welcome and lull, warming the mouth lively. How many times will you hear the question echo: "Would you like a Spritz later?"

Hugo is a much-loved Italian cocktail. Born in Trentino Alto Adige, in the 1980s, it stands out for its fresh and decisive tones, rich in contrasts. It was born precisely in Kaltern from an idea of bartenders who wanted to create a fresh cocktail suitable for hot summer days.

The Hugo, a fresh and floral Italian cocktail, is named after Hugo Kuntner, a local herbalist who popularized elderflower syrup, a key ingredient in the cocktail.

The success of the iconic and simple Italian cocktail was immediate; it immediately became a symbol of Alto Adige.

Made with prosecco, elderberry syrup, soda and mint, it is a fresh and aromatic cocktail, perfect for hot days - and beyond.

Below is the recipe for Kaltern's fresh cocktail:

- 3 cl of elderflower syrup;

- 6 cl of prosecco;

- 6 cl of soda;

- Fresh mint;

- Lime slice (for garnish).

First, a tall wine glass is filled with ice; after which the elderflower syrup and Prosecco are poured; it is then completed by mixing everything with the soda. Finally, it is garnished with lime and mint.

We find different variations of this Italian cocktail such as the grapefruit Hugo, the non-alcoholic Hugo and the spicy Hugo.

A sip of Hugo contains the aromas and flavors of Alto Adige, transporting you into an atmosphere of relaxation and carefreeness.

The Americano is an Italian cocktail whose origin is much discussed and uncertain.

In fact, it is believed that it was born in Milan between 1800 and 1900. Another theory asserts that the Americano was born as a variant of the Milan-Turin cocktail - a cocktail based on Campari and red vermouth, very popular in era. American tourists, tasting it, requested the addition of soda and ice, giving life to the Americano.

A further hypothesis says that the Americano was born as a marketing ploy by Martini & Rossi to export their red vermouth to the United States; the name "Americano" would have been a tribute to the market for which it was intended.

Structured on the flavors of Campari, red vermouth and soda, it is a much loved and requested cocktail, being also very refreshing.

The following is the recipe for the famous cocktail:

- 3 cl of Campari;

- 3 cl of red vermouth;

- Soda;

- Ice;

- Orange slice (for garnish).

First fill an old fashioned glass with ice; then Campari and red vermouth are poured. Finally, add the soda - and mix gently.

The Americano is characterized by its bitter and decisive tone; the Italian cocktail breaks the balance and monotony of a normal day, thanks to its atypicality.

Numerous variations of the cocktail are also recognised, such as the white Americano, the bitter Americano and the alternative Americano.

The Americano is a timeless classic that continues to be appreciated by mixology enthusiasts and connoisseurs all over the world.

Italy boasts a very long tradition in the art of cocktail creation. In fact, we find a lot of them, almost irreducible, whose recipes date back to the first decades of the 19th century.

History and flavor come together in the definition of unique flavours, each characterizing certain unrepeatable stories, which are still expressed in the notes of the cocktails themselves. For this reason, choosing among the numerous proposals of Italian cities and regions is a difficult task.

Each location on the peninsula is the stage for different stories and specialties, which thicken between one sip and another, among the scores of simple and constant ingredients - which are also part of the food and wine offer of the area.

These same special stories have made Italian cocktails international, spreading them to every area of the globe.

Highly sought after and replicated, those listed are just some of the numerous Italian cocktails now made classic by the same fame that has made them timeless. Also thanks to these, and the ingredients that characterize them, it is possible to discover Italy.