Year after year, the arrival of summer brings with it a sense of excitement and renewal. As the warmth and light return, we’re reminded of the simple pleasures in life that make every day feel like a vacation.
What better way to indulge in these carefree moments than with a refreshing drink in hand? When it comes to crafting the perfect summer cocktail, however, the options can seem endless. Enter Amaro, the Italian liqueur made from a blend of herbs, roots, and spices.
Italian Amaro Cocktail
Often described as a perfect summer drink, the Italian Amaro Cocktail is a refreshing blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delightful cocktail is crafted with Averna Amaro, a classic Italian digestif known for its rich herbal notes, paired with gin, lime juice, sugar, and a sprig of fresh mint. The combination of these ingredients creates a bittersweet finish that’s beautifully balanced by the effervescence of ginger beer.
Averna Amaro plays a crucial role in adding depth to this cocktail, thanks to its complex herbal-based ingredients. One of the best aspects of this recipe is its accessibility – it requires no special syrups or hard-to-find ingredients, making it an ideal choice for those looking to experiment with new flavors. If you’re seeking a unique and revitalizing drink to enjoy during the warmer months, the Italian Amaro Cocktail is definitely worth trying.
Averna Limonata
Lighting up your summer with a refreshing twist, Averna Limonata is an ideal low-abv cocktail that’s perfect for hot weather days. This revitalizing drink consists of just two key ingredients: Averna Amaro and a high-quality lemon soda. The unique combination gives the cocktail a sweet yet nuanced taste profile, accompanied by a bold and distinctive cola-like flavor.
Averna Amaro itself is a complex elixir made from a base of wine or brandy that infuses with bitter roots, barks, herbs, flowers, and citrus peels, resulting in a rich and intriguing flavor experience. When added to rum and whiskey-based cocktails, such as Averna Limonata, it brings an exciting dynamic to the mix. This cocktail is specifically designed for those seeking to enjoy a few drinks without feeling overly intoxicated.
If you’re looking for a revitalizing summer cocktail that’s both easy to make and refreshing to drink, Averna Limonata is certainly worth giving a try.
Amaro Spritz
Often considered the ultimate summer cocktail, the Amaro Spritz is a revitalizing and bubbly concoction that’s sure to impress at any outdoor gathering or social event. This Italian aperitif makes use of any type of amaro in place of Aperol, resulting in a rich and caramel-like taste with complex and balanced flavors. Specifically, Meletti is recommended for its dark brown, sweet profile, which shines through with its prominent caramel notes and subtle cola-like undertones.
The classic spritz ratio of 3-2-1 is employed to create this cocktail, making it easy to remember and allowing for endless variations and experimentation. For those looking to take their Amaro Spritz to the next level, using clear ice can elevate the drink’s appearance, adding an extra touch of sophistication.
Mezcal Sour
Highlighting its unique flavor profile, the Mezcal Sour stands out among other summer cocktails. Composed of mezcal, a smoky spirit that contributes to the drink’s complexity, and Amaro, an Italian liqueur with subtle bitterness and earthy undertones, this cocktail defies traditional notions of sweet and sour flavors. The two-step shaking process results in a frothy foam that crowns the drink, making it visually appealing and attention-grabbing.
If you’re seeking a refreshing and intriguing cocktail experience, the Mezcal Sour is an excellent choice worth exploring.
The Italian American
Joining the ranks of unique and complex cocktails is ‘The Italian American’, a masterful blend of American bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, and Campari. The sweetness of the bourbon perfectly balances with the bitter notes of the Amaro, while the addition of maple syrup and lemon juice adds depth and a hint of citrus to the libation. The resulting flavor profile features floral notes, herbs, spices, and a subtle bitterness that will tantalize even the most discerning palates.
It’s an excellent representation of an Amaro Montenegro drink that can be savored neat or on the rocks, and it also lends itself well to being mixed into creative cocktails. If you’re in search of a revitalizing and sophisticated summer cocktail, ‘The Italian American’ is certainly worth giving a try.
Aperol Margarita
Fresh from the world of mixology comes a refreshing and fun cocktail that seamlessly blends the much-loved flavors of Aperol and Margarita in perfect harmony. The inspiration behind this delightful concoction was drawn from the Dead Man’s Handle at Miss Carousel in Houston, giving it an undeniable tiki flair with its stunning color and subtle almond flavor.
Aperol, a classic Italian apéritif boasting notes of orange and rhubarb, takes center stage, imparting a delightfully balanced taste experience that is both slightly sweet and slightly bitter. The addition of almond simple syrup injects a delightful twist into the classic Margarita recipe, making it an exciting innovation for cocktail enthusiasts. If you’re seeking a new and thrilling summer cocktail to try, the Aperol Margarita certainly deserves your attention.
Fernet Branca Spritz
Releasing a burst of freshness in every sip, the Fernet Branca Spritz is an exquisite blend of bitter and sweet notes that epitomize the spirit of summer. At its core, this delectable cocktail relies on Fernet Branca, a renowned herbal liqueur celebrated for its digestive properties, to provide a distinctive base flavor.
When combined with freshly squeezed orange juice, simple syrup, and prosecco, the Fernet Branca Spritz presents itself as an ideal choice for those who prefer their drinks less sweet.
Perfect Aperol Spritz
Known for its refreshing and revitalizing qualities, the Perfect Aperol Spritz has become a popular choice among cocktail enthusiasts. This classic Italian cocktail has undergone some modern tweaks that make it perfect for sipping as a pre-dinner drink during those sweltering summer evenings when you need something to quench your thirst. The cocktail’s 3-2-1 ratio of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water provides the ideal balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
To complete the look, a slice of orange is delicately placed on top, adding an extra touch of elegance. Aperol, being the main ingredient in this cocktail, boasts a vibrant orange hue accompanied by subtle notes of herbs and citrus in its flavor profile.
Oleo Old Fashioned
Restoring the classic Old Fashioned recipe, the Oleo Old Fashioned brings a rejuvenating twist with its innovative use of homemade oleo saccharum syrup. This sugar oil is carefully crafted from citrus zest and sugar, resulting in an intense sweet and bitter orange flavor that elevates the cocktail to new heights. The addition of Amaro Nonino’s distinctive bitter orange liqueur complements the Michter’s barrel strength rye base spirit perfectly, adding depth and complexity to each sip.
The drink is finished off with a couple of dashes of apple bitters, which beautifully balance the flavors on the palate and the nose, leaving the palate refreshed and invigorated.
Paper Plane Cocktail
Bicicletta Cocktail
Delighting in a refreshing summer drink is a must for many, especially those who appreciate bitter flavors. The Bicicletta Cocktail, made with Campari, white wine, and soda water, hits the spot perfectly. Its unique combination of ingredients creates an exceptional balance between sweet and bitter notes, making it a standout choice for warm weather.
When prepared correctly, the Campari’s bitterness is expertly tempered by the white wine’s sweetness, resulting in a taste experience that’s both revitalizing and enjoyable. If you’re seeking a distinctive summer cocktail that won’t disappoint, give the Bicicletta Cocktail a try and discover its delightful flavor profile for yourself.
Cynar Spritz
Adding a twist to your usual summer drinks, consider trying the Cynar Spritz! This Italian-inspired cocktail combines the bitter liqueur Cynar with the classic spritz recipe, resulting in a unique and refreshing flavor experience. The bubbly and bittersweet taste of the Cynar Spritz makes it an excellent choice for those seeking to mix things up and try something new.
Whether you’re an experienced bartender or just looking for a fun and flavorful drink to enjoy on a warm summer day, the Cynar Spritz is sure to delight. Its complex flavor profile and revitalizing qualities make it an ideal choice for anyone searching for a refreshing summer cocktail that’s full of character.
Aperol Sour With Maple Syrup and Rosemary
When it comes to gin sour cocktails, the Aperol Sour with Maple Syrup and Rosemary is an absolute standout. Its unique flavor profile is a masterful blend of tartness, bitterness, and sweetness, expertly balanced by the subtle undertones of maple syrup and the herbaceous aroma of rosemary, adding depth and complexity to the drink.
The bold color of this cocktail is sure to turn heads, but it’s not just about looks – each sip delivers a harmonious balance of sweet and sour fruitiness alongside a subtle kick of alcohol. What truly sets this cocktail apart is its simplicity, requiring only a handful of ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe.
If you’re searching for a refreshing and sophisticated summer cocktail that won’t break the bank or require hours of prep time, the Aperol Sour with Maple Syrup and Rosemary should definitely be on your radar.
Rum Negroni
One of the most refreshing twists on the classic Italian lounge cocktail is the Rum Negroni. This variation replaces the traditional gin with dark rum, resulting in a less bitter taste profile compared to its predecessor. Although the Negroni can be an acquired taste due to its potency and strength, this Rum version is perfect for those who prefer a milder flavor profile.
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
