Begin your week of Italian culinary exploration with these charming Italian cocktails!
Italian cuisine is all about fresh, colorful fruits and veggies.
So, it only makes sense to pair them with a sip of their zesty drinks.
These drinks are bright, fruity and full of flavor.
Plus, they’re a terrific way to dress up your food.
From fruity sips to boozy variations, these Italian cocktails will make your Italian feast even more exciting.
And I’m not just talking about the food!
Grab your straws and let’s dig in!
1. Limoncello Prosecco
Prosecco is a beautiful, bubbly white wine made in Italy with an effervescent and fruity taste.
I love the light citrusy taste, but you can use any flavor of champagne you want.
I also like to add some sprinkles on top just for fun!
The best way to make this very easy is to use a bottle of Prosecco and lemon zest from the supermarket.
2. Negroni
You’re probably familiar with the classic Italian cocktail – how about Negroni?
It’s a combination of Hendricks Gin, Vermouth, and Campari.
This unique cocktail is made by mixing all three ingredients and straining them through a fine-mesh sieve.
The result is a smooth, fruity drink for which there are many variations (there are also different recipes for it).
The original recipe calls to make it with cherries or peaches.
But I think this one is best served ice cold.
3. Raspberry, Limoncello and Prosecco Cooler
Take your next backyard barbecue to the next level with this fabulous raspberry, limoncello, and Prosecco cooler.
The fruity flavors of raspberries, lemonade, and prosecco make a fantastic trio.
Each component brings its own unique taste that complements each other perfectly.
It’s good enough to drink on its own.
But once you add in the Prosecco, it’ll be too good to share!
4. Italian Paloma
Paloma is a classic cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
The grapefruit-based drink is made with sweet vermouth, lime juice, and soda water.
It has a light, refreshing feel and a delightful flavor.
This recipe calls for ginger ale since the drink doesn’t need much in the way of alcohol.
You can also use tequila if you prefer.
5. Amalfi Martini Limoncello
Cucumber, lemon juice, and amalfi limoncello is a classic recipe for a refreshing cocktail!
This recipe combines two great flavors and creates such an incredible drink.
It’s sweetly tart from the cucumber combined with the zesty lemon juice.
The amalfi limoncello adds a refreshing flavor that keeps this drink from being super bitter.
It gives it a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
6. Negroni Sbagliato
A sip of this Negroni Sbagliato will make you feel like you’re sitting at a fabulous table in Italy.
This drink is made with gin, vermouth, and Campari.
The gin gives it a citrusy taste that melds perfectly with the vermouth and Campari.
In order to make this cocktail extra special, you can garnish it with maraschino cherries.
7. Sgroppino
Made with sausage, eggs, and cream, this Italian comfort food is full of rich flavors.
I love to make my own meatballs for this dish.
They’re easy to make but packed with flavor!
A great way to add additional protein is by adding a combo of pasta and veggies.
This dish packs all the good stuff!
8. Gin Basil Smash
Gin, basil, and smoked paprika are a match made in heaven.
I’m not even joking!
Gin basil smash is an incredible dipping sauce that you can use on so many different foods.
It’s especially great when mixed with your favorite chips or crackers.
If you don’t have time to make the recipe from scratch, no worries!
Just use canned tomatoes instead.
Either way, it makes for an incredibly easy snack that everyone will love.
9. Campari Spritz
Here’s another sweet and sour drink you can make with the handy Campari powder.
You’ll mix Campari and sugar with lemon juice, orange liqueur, soda water, and a dash of bitters.
The result is a surprisingly strong yet fruity cocktail you can enjoy anytime.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Margarita or Fruity Pebbles, this one will do just fine.
10. Cranberry Limoncello Spritzer
This fruity limoncello spritzer is perfect for the holidays.
It’s a popular summer drink at my house and I almost always have cranberry juice in the fridge.
If you don’t, try to find frozen cranberries instead.
They’ll give you more of that sweet flavor, but they won’t be as sticky.
The best part is, it only takes 7 minutes to make!
11. Lemon Sorbet
Lemon sorbet is a sweet and refreshing treat for the holidays.
And it’s so easy to make!
It’s perfect for when you want something light and tasty, but also a little indulgent.
If you’re short on time or want to whip this up in advance, just stick your ingredients into an airtight container, and it will freeze beautifully.
12. Bellini
If you’ve never had Bellini before, this is a great time to start.
It’s the perfect holiday drink for those who don’t like alcohol.
It’s sweet, frothy, and simply delicious.
The best part about this recipe is that it only calls for four ingredients!
You won’t need any booze.
This can be made with sparkling water or club soda instead.
It pairs perfectly with Easter candy eggs and raspberry tarts.
And don’t worry – it doesn’t taste like alcohol at all!
The fruity taste of the bellini comes through wonderfully when you bite into them.
13. Limoncello Spritz
Another limoncello recipe is the perfect summer drink.
And this one tops all those other lemon-flavored Limoncello recipes.
It’s super easy to make and only calls for four ingredients: limoncello, orange juice, water, and sugar.
Just toss everything into a pitcher and voila!
You have a delicious Limoncello Spritz.
You can use it as an appetizer or a light dessert (if you like lime.)
It’s also great at parties because everyone can pick their own flavor!
14. Italian Margarita
When you think of a margarita, what image comes to mind?
I know the one where it’s made with salt, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
But this Italian margarita is much more than that.
It’s rich and fruity with a bit of spice thrown in for good measure.
And there’s nothing like its cherry-flavored rim.
It sure makes you feel like royalty!
15. Aperol Spritz
Aperol is a blend of white wine, orange liqueur, ginger syrup, and lemon juice.
The result is a sweet and citrusy drink that’s perfect for cold winter nights.
It has the same lovely flavor as an Aperol spritzer but with the added thermal properties of water to keep it cool.
If you like both sweet and bitter drinks, try this recipe!
16. The Little Italian Sour
This recipe is for a simple and flavorful sour cherry pie.
It’s made with sour cherries, sugar, and lemon juice.
The best part?
You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
17. Italian Blood Orange Vodka Soda
This blood orange vodka soda is similar to a Manhattan, only with more citrusy notes.
It’s sweet and tangy, but not overly so.
It has all of the sublime flavors of classic cocktails in one drinkable package.
The taste and texture of this drink are ideal for mimosas!
18. Hugo Cocktail
Here’s another tasty bourbon and whiskey cocktail that’ll fill your mouth with delicious flavors and make you feel like a million bucks (literally).
It’s a drink made from whiskey, sugar, lemon, and ice.
It has such an amazing flavor profile – kind of like the Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7.
You can serve it as is or garnish it with fresh mint leaves for a festive look.
19. Tiramisu Martini
So many people are in love with tiramisu.
It’s the ultimate summer sweets to indulge in.
With this recipe, you can enjoy a delicious and creamy tiramisu cocktail all year round.
This dessert is rich and creamy with a subtle sweetness that pairs well with some ice cream on top.
It’s so good that it would make any adult feel like royalty!
20. Amaretto Sour
Amaretto sour is a simple and delicious dessert that’s great for any occasion.
It looks stunning as it sits on a silver platter with a cherry in the centre.
The fruity syrup is poured over crunchy almonds and then topped with whipped cream.
It’s sweet, refreshing, and tastes like heaven on a plate.
This drink is perfect for summer barbecues and parties when you want something light but stylish to enjoy during the warmer months.
You can serve this cold or room temperature.
The best way to enjoy it is with crushed ice in a tall glass.
21. Campari And Soda
This Campari and soda is an old-fashioned drink that’s best enjoyed with a glass of wine.
You can make it at home using only four ingredients: Campari, lemon juice, sugar, and water.
It’s the perfect refreshment when you want to cool down on a hot day.
This recipe calls for 90-proof alcohol because it will help prevent the taste from turning bitter.
22. Greyhound
If you’re looking for a dish that will make everyone in your family love, then Greyhound is the one.
This hearty stew features tender chunks of beef and potatoes swimming in a delicious broth.
You can enjoy this recipe anytime of year, but its flavor definitely shines during the winter.
It’s also great for game days and tailgating parties.
It makes the perfect snack or side dish!
23. Italian Sangria
This is a beautiful combination of red wine, brandy, and fruit.
The spirit tastes like a crisp winter evening, but the fruits enhance it with sweetness and tartness.
You’ll combine these ingredients in one bottle to make sangria.
It’s a simple recipe that yields an impressive drink.
You can also make this drink with pineapple juice or elderflower liqueur instead of white wine.
It still tastes fantastic!
24. Peach Bellini
This peach Bellini is a refreshing treat that will instantly replace your favorite summer cocktail.
It’s simple, yet delicious.
It’s made with fresh peaches, vodka, and ice.
The combination of different flavors and textures makes this drink unforgettable.
The best part?
This recipe is kid-friendly!
25. Orange Italian Mule
If you love peach-flavored cocktails, this simple recipe is right up your alley.
It’s sweet, tart, and so refreshing!
The flavors are a bit more complex than the peaches in this drink alone.
There’s orange oil with cinnamon, ginger syrup (or extract), lime juice, and orange liqueur.
So whether you want to serve it as an appetizer or add it to a brunch spread, this recipe will do the trick.
25 Best Italian Cocktails
Equipment
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest about 4 lemons
- 1½ cup fresh lemon juice about 6-7 lemons
- 1 tablespoon vodka for texture, optional
Instructions
- Make a simple syrup with lemon zest, honey, and water in a saucepan over medium heat; stir constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat for 5 minutes. Place aside to cool.
- Combine cooled simply syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a medium bowl, then strain through a fine mesh strainer.
- OPTIONAL: Add vodka to allow the sorbet to not completely freeze and retain its soft, velvety texture.
- If using an ice cream maker, chill the stained sorbet mixture for about 2 hours, or until completely cool. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning.
- If not using an ice cream maker, place the mixture in a shallow dish in the freezer and scrape with a fork every hour until frozen.
- After freezing, serve as desired.
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Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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