Campari - Characterized by its dark red color and bitter flavor, Campari is the National Drink of Italy. Born in the Piedmont city of Novara, this distinct Italian alcoholic liqueur is made from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water.
Campari. Originating from a small local bar in the province of Novara in the 1800s, Campari is now a widely favourite drink in Italy and across the world. Made from a mixture of herbs, spices, fruits and alcohol, Gaspare Campari formulated the bitter recipe for the drink that later took over Italy and Europe by storm.
While wine is common, aperitivo hour is the perfect time to try a classic Italian drink, like the bitter Campari or the slightly less bitter Aperol. Both are fantastic mixed with soda, or in a slightly sweeter Spritz (sparkling wine, soda, and Campari or Aperol).
Grappa is an alcoholic beverage: a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin that contains 35 to 60 percent alcohol by volume (70 to 120 US proof).
Among gangsters, scotch and whiskey were always popular choices, particularly the whiskey brand Cutty Sark. And they had their own way of ordering, as recounted by undercover FBI agent Jack Garcia: “Mobsters always order drinks by a brand. Never just a scotch and water, it would be a Cutty and water.
The Bitter Liqueurs
In Italian, bitter liqueurs are beloved as after-dinner cocktails. These bitter liqueurs are called Amari (literally translates to "bitters"), which contain a lot of botanicals that aid in digestion.
An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink; the experience of aperitivo is a cultural ritual. Derived from the Latin aperire, the tradition is meant “to open” the stomach before dining. Accordingly, for centuries Italians have said cheers – cin cin – over drinks and appetizers in the early evening hours between work and dinner.
Popular Roman cocktails include the Negroni: gin, Campari and red vermouth; the Negroni Sbagliato: prosecco, Campari, and red vermouth; and the Campari Soda.
What are the most popular Italian liqueurs? Although Aperol is seemingly everywhere now, Campari is arguably Italy's most popular aperitivo liqueur. This bitter red Italian liqueur works just as well with a splash of soda as it does in some of Italy's most famous cocktails – from the Americano to the Negroni.
Sicily is Italy's third largest wine-producing region, most famously known for its fortified Marsala wines, but also producing a number of other varieties such as Zibibbo, Primativo, Moscato and Passito .
Grappa – A shot of grappa will definitely get things moving after a heavy dinner or to start a long night. A (very) high-proof wine liquor made from grapes, this drink is all Italian: It has to be made in an Italian territory to be considered true grappa.
A typical drink in Rome is the Aperol spritz and it usually comes with a snack of some sort. These are just some of the most common cocktails Romans drink. Along with prosecco of course.
As Italians say, what grows together goes together. With that said, the refreshing minerality of Vermentino is fantastic for the zesty green flavors of pesto. Sauvignon Blanc makes a fabulous pairing too. You can also pair a pesto with red wine, particularly if the pasta dish has a cream or additional tomatoes in it.
Italians never drink coffee with food during a meal. It is sipped from tiny espresso cups after the last bite is swallowed. Don't try to tempt an Italian with an extra morsel after the espresso is served.
Italians typically drink wine rather than beer or cocktails with meals, with the exception of pizza, which they usually drink with beer.
However, after 11am, it is considered more appropriate to switch to a stronger, richer coffee such as an espresso or a macchiato. These coffees are typically consumed without any added milk or sugar, and are meant to be sipped and savored rather than gulped down.
The most popular Italian drinks for aperitif are Vermouth and Aperol. Vermouth was the favorite of Vittorio Emanuelle II, the king of Italy in the 17th century. The aperitif drink turned into a ritual for most Italians. You can eat something with any bitter drink.
What is a digestivo? Digestivi (“digestives,” in English) are often in the class of amari, or Italian bitters. Amari are made by infusing grape brandy with a blend of herbs, flowers, aromatic roots and bark, citrus peels, and spices.
Averna is an amaro, or a bitter liqueur that many Italians drink after dinner as a digestif. Amari (plural of amaro) can have bitter, sour, or bittersweet taste as a result of the aromatic herbs, bark, fruit, roots, rinds, and more that are combined to create the cocktail.
Spaghetti aglio, olio e pepperoncino: a classic, very simple and yet delicious recipe of the Italian tradition could be a great cure for hangover. A dish of spaghetti, oil, garlic and chili pepper can work wonders, according to the Italian tradition.
Grappa. Grappa is to Italy as whisky is to Scotland.
The legal drinking age in Italy is 18, and this applies to everyone regardless of nationality or citizenship. This means that US citizens who are 18 years old or older can legally purchase and consume alcohol in Italy 3 years sooner than they can do so at home.