Explore and celebrate Italy’s most famous and delicious cocktails
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Classic Italian Cocktails
Aug 15, 2024
Classic Italian Cocktails
Italy’s rich culinary tapestry and vibrant aperitivo culture has led to the creation of cocktails with a timeless allure.
Join us as we explore and celebrate Italy’s most famous and delicious cocktails, and get inspired by the flavours, aromas, and spirit of aperitivo with our easy Italian cocktail recipes.
Famous Italian Cocktails
Handpicked by our MARTINI cocktail experts, here are our favourite Italian classic cocktail recipes. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Italy, or wanting to drink the Italian way at home, these cocktails capture the essence of aperitivo and are best enjoyed with friends, family and classic Italian dishes.
MARTINI Negroni
The MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino and Riserva Speciale Bitter come together perfectly to deliver the master’s ultimate Negroni cocktail. A perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness and distinctive botanicals with MARTINI’s vibrant vermouth and complex bitters.
Salty and fatty dishes are the perfect pairing to a Negroni cocktail, softening the intense aromatic bitterness with every sip, so the complex flavours of cured meat or the clean, cool simplicity of beef tartare or burrata pair fabulously with this bright and tasteful Negroni.
MARTINI Americano
Early legend has it that Americans loved a splash of soda in their Milano Torino, a traditional mix of vermouth and bitter in equals part resulting in this classic bittersweet long and refreshing aperitivo drink.
If you’re looking to drink your Americano with a meal, the light and sparkling character of this cocktail enhances the complex aromatics of MARTINI Bitter and Rosso, and pairs nicely with sharp pickled vegetables, smoky, spicy hams, and Tramezzini.
MARTINI Manhattan
The Manhattan cocktail is complex and warming with a delicate touch of sweetness, for those that enjoy multiple layers to their cocktail experience. Served in a classic Martini cocktail glass, this drink exudes elegance with every sip.
The bitter-sweet power of a Manhattan cocktail makes it the perfect pairing to the sweet flavours of fig, creamy goat cheeses, and crispy rucola with flatbread.
MARTINI Sbagliato Ambrato
The Sbagliato, a classic alternative to the Negroni, was invented during the roaring ’50’s at Bar Basso in Milano. Legend tells us that a bartender was mixing a Negroni for a beautiful lady. The bartender ‘Si Sbaglia’ substitutes the gin for prosecco. The story is questioned as it’s hard to switch prosecco for gin, but there is no question this is indeed an excellent aperitif.
The Sbagliato Ambrato is MARTINI’s take on this classic Italian cocktail using MARTINI Ambrato, a unique vermouth that adds a sophisticated and aromatic twist to the Sbagliato with its notes of Roman Chamomile.
MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato makes a fabulous pairing with fresh tomato, bruschetta, and salty, sharp blue cheese; the perfect starter for your perfect aperitivo.
MARTINI Fiero Spritzato
A modern twist on the classic sbagliato, with a delicate, but flavourful blend of citrus and bittersweet orange, this fruity and fiery Italian cocktail is the ideal aperitivo for those looking for a zesty, modern kick.
The boldness of the MARTINI Fiero Spritzato pairs beautifully with the nuttiness of aged Parmesan or pecorino Romano which balances the cocktail’s bitterness. The herbal notes of fresh basil and the richness of olive oil complements and enhances the cocktail’s botanicals, making Caprese salads and Bruschetta the ideal companion to this bittersweet drink.
Traditional Italian Tonic Cocktails
This wouldn’t be a collection of classic Italian cocktails without the inclusion of the traditional vermouth and tonic cocktail. The diversity of flavours found in MARTINI vermouth means that there’s a tonic cocktail for everyone, whether they enjoy the soft sweetness of vanilla, aromatic spice, or vibrant citrus.
The balance is simple, half tonic and half vermouth. Traditional Italian tonic cocktails take seconds to prepare, and you’ll want to enjoy them for much longer.
Light and aromatic, MARTINI Rosato is the perfect complement to fizzing prosecco on a warm day. With rich notes of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg alongside a dash of citrus, this Spritz cocktail is a lightly spiced delight.
The delicate warmth and spice of MARTINI Rosato can be elevated by dishes with high acidity. Put together some light, sharp bites, such as crab, heirloom tomatoes, avocado and ceviche, with citrus dressings for a zesty, refreshing spread.
This contemporary vermouth is a complex blend of citrus and bittersweet orange with crisp white wines that creates a tangy and refreshing cocktail when mixed with bubbly tonic water.
The fruity notes of MARTINI Fiero are best enhanced by savoury, salty dishes. Put together a selection of mixed black and green olives, Italian cured meats and some rustic chunks of Parmesan to nibble at for the perfect aperitivo hour.
Transforming MARTINI Bianco into a long drink, ice-cold tonic water softens the sweet vanilla notes of the white vermouth for a crisper, cleaner finish. A ratio of 50/50 vermouth and tonic ensures a perfect balance of flavours, while the balloon glass, packed with ice, will help concentrate the fragrant botanicals, for a more intensely aromatic experience.
The sweetness of MARTINI Bianco and Tonic is beautifully complemented by savoury, aromatic flavours. Chargrilled artichokes are a wonderful match, or for something more adventurous, introduce some heat with a spicy red-chilli focaccia to bring out the best in this cocktail.
Non-Alcoholic Italian Tonic Cocktails
MARTINI has an aperitivo time cocktail for everyone. With MARTINI Vibrante and MARTINI Floreale, you can find the perfect non-alcoholic pairing for a classic Italian tonic cocktail. The sparkle of tonic enhances the fruity Vibrante and herbal Floreale to create a refreshing long-cocktail.
Transforming MARTINI Bianco into a long drink, ice-cold tonic water softens the sweet vanilla notes of the white vermouth for a crisper, cleaner finish. A ratio of 50/50 vermouth and tonic ensures a perfect balance of flavours, while the balloon glass, packed with ice, will help concentrate the fragrant botanicals, for a more intensely aromatic experience.
The sweetness of MARTINI Bianco and Tonic is beautifully complemented by savoury, aromatic flavours. Chargrilled artichokes are a wonderful match, or for something more adventurous, introduce some heat with a spicy red-chilli focaccia to bring out the best in this cocktail.
The complex floral flavour of MARTINI non-alcoholic Floreale is brightened by the fizz of tonic water, letting the notes of Roman Chamomile shine in this refreshing and elegant cocktail.
To elevate the floral notes of MARTINI Floreale, pair this Italian cocktail with grilled chicken and herb marinated vegetables like bell peppers, courgette and onions to add a depth of flavour and balance to this light and botanical cocktail.
What are the traditional Italian pre-dinner drinks?
The concept of aperitivo is built into Italian culture and community. It’s a time where friends and family can gather to socialise and enjoy light drinks and snacks before dinner. Traditionally, these drinks are simple spritz cocktails, easy to make and refreshing to drink after a long day.
In a country where every meal is a celebration of flavour, MARTINI has been an essential companion to the Italian aperitivo since its founding in 1863. Read more about MARTINI’s Italian story here.
To learn more about aperitivo cocktails and culture, check out our guide to aperitivo.