One of the best parts of adjusting to the Italian lifestyle on a nice, lazy, relaxing holiday in Italy, is adopting the dining practices of this famous foodie destination. From multiple courses with most meals, to dining over the course of hours and chatting late into the evening with pals, to wine with lunch – there are many elements that are not uncommon (though not necessarily daily for everyone all the time) practices and make for an ideal basis for a vacation full of rest and relaxation. Another of our favourite foodie traditions from Italy that we think everyone should adopt where possible? Going for an aperitivo before your meal, sitting out in a sunny piazza, catching up with your companions and people-watching, and enjoying a spritz and some snacks. Certainly, if you’ve been dashing about to see and do as much as you can on holiday in Florence or on vacation in Rome or in any other Italian destination, it’s the ideal way to unwind, rest your feet, and begin rehydrating before your big evening meal.
The question, then, is what spritz you should go for because, while the Aperol Spritz is the most famous option, there are other ways to go. Here are our favourite Italian tipples for a perfect aperitivo moment on vacation in Italy...
Aperol Spritz
As noted, this is the classic and most famous of the spritz varieties. Aperol is a bitter liqueur that is popular all throughout Italy but especially in the region of Veneto, where it was created and is still produced. A vibrant orange colour, it is made from gentian, rhubarb, cinchona, and other ingredients and is paired with Prosecco and soda water. Many will be familiar with it served over ice with an orange slice as a garnish but the original Venetian version has a green olive as the garnish instead – be sure to try it both ways if you have booked a vacation rental in Veneto and are spending time in its home region! Bitter, a little sweet, and thirst-quenching, it is the perfect thing when you’re sitting out on a sunny day. Just remember to stir it before you drink to combine the layers of ingredients properly and to get the flavours perfectly mixed together all at once.
Campari Spritz
The Campari Spritz is probably the second most common variety and second most familiar take on the spritz, using another bitter liqueur, Campari. With a higher alcohol percentage, a darker colour, and a stronger and more bitter flavour, it is a much bolder ingredient and makes for a much more intense cocktail as a spritz. Those who love it, however, will very much appreciate these traits. An amaro type of Italian herbal liqueur, it is made by infusing herbs and fruits such as chinotto and cascarilla in alcohol and water.
Limoncello Spritz
Another lighter option, the Limoncello Spritz makes use of yet another iconic Italian liqueur, Limoncello. This lemon-based drink is produced mainly in the south of Italy, around Campania and Sicily, and is traditionally actually a digestivo, rather than an aperitivo. However, refreshing and zesty as it is, we think it would be perfect as a pre-dinner drink to quench your thirst and rest up after a day of adventure or as a perfect night-cap after your meal to help you digest. If you’re enjoying a stay in one of our villas in Sicily or one of our holiday rentals in Campania and you have delicious local Limoncello to hand, we suggest trying it both ways!
Spritz Bianco
Those who head to a holiday rental in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, meanwhile, will likely encounter the Spritz Bianco, a white wine-based spritz that comes from the much older Spritzer originally from Germany, which is what inspired all of these drinks. A simple style that is likely similar to drinks many have already tried variations of in their own countries, it is a classic.
Italicus Spritz
Italicus is a liqueur from Turin in Piedmont that comes in an elegant aquamarine-coloured ribbed glass bottle with a stopper depicting a figure that combines Bacchus (the Greek god of wine) and the Vitruvian Man. With a flavour based around bergamot oranges from Calabria and lemons from Sicily, as well as a whole host of other floral and herb notes including chamomile from Lazio, lavender, yellow roses, lemon balm, and gentian, Italiacus is a rosolio. A rosolio is another kind of Italian aperitivo liqueur that is light, sweet, and floral. While this kind of aperitivo is steeped in tradition and based on a recipe passed through bartender Giuseppe Gallo’s family for generations, Italicus itself was only created in 2016 by Gallo when he learned more about rosolios. Since then, Italicus has won awards and the Italicus Spritz has begun to win hearts as a dreamy and refreshing floral take on the classic spritz that is an ideal summer beverage. If you are looking to enjoy a rather chic and stylish getaway during your vacation in Italy, we recommend getting your hands on a bottle and preparing this perfect and easily-made, highly elegant cocktail in your villa in Italy.
So, be sure to do as the Italians do on your next holiday in Italy and choose the right kind of spritz for you to have a spritz time each day before your meal as a little treat and a perfect aperitivo. Then head on for an excellent and lengthy dinner full of good food and conversation with the ones you love best – sounds pretty dreamy to us!
