Italian cocktails are loved around the world for their balance, character, and timeless charm. The Negroni even holds the title of the world’s number one cocktail (according to Drinks International), making it a true icon and a point of pride in Italy.
Yet beyond famous classics, there are many Italian drinks locals enjoy every day, from light aperitifs to refreshing spritzes shared from afternoon to evening.
In this article, you’ll find a curated list of Italian cocktail recipes that are easy to make at home. From well-known classics to everyday favorites, here are 15 Italian cocktail recipes to bring a little taste of la dolce vita into your glass.
1. Campari Spritz
A Campari Spritz is one of those Italian drinks that feels effortlessly grown-up. Compared to Aperol Spritz, this cocktail is more bitter and bold, making it a favorite at stylish day clubs or pre-dinner moments.
The mix of Campari, Prosecco, and soda creates a refreshing balance that works beautifully as a light yet characterful good beverage.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Prosecco (or other sparkling wine)
- 2 oz Campari
- 1 oz sparkling water
How to Make:
Fill a large wine glass with ice, pour in the Prosecco, add Campari, then top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice.
2. Negroni Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato is a happy accident that became a staple in every mixologist’s repertoire of modern Italian cocktail recipes. By swapping gin for Prosecco, this version feels lighter and more approachable, with a lower alcohol content compared to the classic Negroni.
It’s a great option if you enjoy classic types of alcohol but prefer something bubbly, smooth, and easy to sip.
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Prosecco
How to Make:
Combine Campari and sweet vermouth in a glass filled with ice, stir well, then top with Prosecco. Garnish with an orange slice.
3. Contratto Spritz
Contratto Spritz is a softer, fruit-forward take on traditional Italian drinks, sitting comfortably between Aperol and Campari. With notes of rhubarb, mandarin, and gentle herbs, this Italian cocktail feels refreshing without being overly sweet or bitter.
It’s an excellent choice for relaxed afternoons, social gatherings, or as a lighter alternative among classic types of cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Contratto Aperitif
- Splash of soda water (optional)
How to Make:
Fill a glass with ice, add Prosecco and Contratto, then finish with a splash of soda water if desired. Garnish with a fresh or dried lemon slice for a bright citrus touch.
4. Sgroppino
Sgroppino is one of those famous Italian drinks that blur the line between dessert and cocktail. Often served at fine restaurants or night-bars, this icy blend of lemon sorbet, vodka, and sparkling wine feels like summer in a glass.
Unlike a mocktail, Sgroppino has a gentle alcohol kick, but its smooth, slushy texture and bright lemon flavor keep it light, refreshing, and easy to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop lemon sorbet
- ½ oz vodka
- 1 oz Prosecco (or other sparkling wine)
How to Make:
Mix the lemon sorbet and vodka until smooth. Pour into a flute glass and gently top with Prosecco.
5. Limoncello Spritz
If you’re looking for one of the best Italian cocktails for warm days, Limoncello Spritz is a must. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, this drink combines zesty lemon liqueur with bubbles for a bright, aromatic sip that feels effortlessly elegant.
It’s a favorite in beachside lounges and upscale cocktail bars, offering more depth than a mocktail while staying light and refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Limoncello
- Splash of soda water
How to Make:
Fill a large glass with ice, add Prosecco and Limoncello, then finish with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon wedge or fresh mint.
6. Negroni
The Negroni is one of the most classic Italian cocktails, born in Florence and still a staple in fancy restaurants around the world. Bold, bittersweet, and beautifully balanced, it showcases why Italian cocktails are so respected.
With gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it’s a strong, spirit-forward drink, clearly highlighting the difference with a mocktail, where complexity comes from alcohol rather than sweetness alone.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
How to Make:
Add all ingredients to a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes. Stir gently for about 30 seconds and garnish with a twisted orange peel to release its aroma.
7. Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz is one of the most popular drinks and a true icon of aperitivo culture. With its bright orange color and bubbly finish, this classic Italian mixed drink feels light, refreshing, and effortlessly social.
The blend of prosecco (local wine), Aperol, and soda creates a gently sweet citrus taste with a pleasant bitterness, perfect for relaxed afternoons or early evenings.
Ingredients:
- 3 parts Prosecco
- 2 parts Aperol
- 1 part soda water
How to Make:
Fill a wine glass with ice, pour in Prosecco, followed by Aperol, then top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh orange slice.
8. Limoncello Margarita
This drink is a fun crossover between Mexico and Italy, blending tequila with Italian limoncello for a bright, citrus-forward twist. As one of the more creative Italian-inspired cocktails, it combines the bold character of tequila with lemony freshness, making it a vibrant choice among modern spirit drinks.
Tangy, smooth, and slightly tropical, it’s perfect when you want something familiar but with a Mediterranean edge.
Ingredients:
- Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- Limoncello (instead of orange liqueur)
- Fresh Meyer lemon juice
- Fresh lime juice
How to Make:
Shake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a glass with a salted rim and finish with lemon zest for extra aroma.
9. Seltz Limone e Sale
Seltz Limone e Sale is a beloved Sicilian classic, often enjoyed at local kiosks on hot afternoons. While it’s technically non-alcoholic, it’s frequently mentioned alongside famous Italian drinks because of its refreshing, savory character.
Made with sparkling water, lemon, and sea salt, it’s crisp, thirst-quenching, and clearly different from sweet mocktails, simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients:
- Chilled sparkling water
- Fresh lemon juice (from one whole lemon)
- A pinch of fine sea salt
How to Make:
Squeeze lemon juice into a glass, add a pinch of salt, then slowly pour in sparkling water (it will fizz quickly). Stir briefly and drink immediately while cold.
10. Cynar Boulevardier
Think of this as the moodier, more grounded sibling of the classic Boulevardier. Instead of Campari, this version uses Cynar, an Italian amaro made from artichoke and herbs, which brings an earthy, slightly vegetal bitterness to the glass.
Paired with bourbon or rye and sweet vermouth, the result is rich, balanced, and quietly complex, perfect for slow sipping.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz Cynar
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
How to Make:
Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over large ice and finish with a twist of orange peel.
11. Bellini
Light, elegant, and effortlessly timeless, the Bellini is one of Italy’s most graceful classics. Born in Venice, this drink celebrates the natural sweetness of ripe white peaches, lifted by the gentle bubbles of Prosecco.
Smooth, refreshing, and softly fruity, it’s ideal for brunch, aperitivo hour, or any moment that calls for something delicate.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz fresh white peach purée
- 4 oz chilled Prosecco
How to Make:
Pour peach purée into a chilled flute, then slowly top with Prosecco. Stir gently just once to blend.
12. Como Spritz
Inspired by the relaxed elegance of Lake Como, this spritz feels modern yet refined. Cynar adds a subtle bitter depth, while passion fruit and fresh lemon bring brightness and a hint of tropical sweetness. Low in alcohol but full of flavor, it’s an easygoing drink that still feels thoughtfully crafted.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Cynar
- ½ oz passion fruit syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- Prosecco, to top
How to Make:
Add Cynar, passion fruit syrup, and lemon juice to an ice-filled glass. Stir briefly, top with Prosecco, and garnish with lemon or fresh passion fruit.
13. Espresso Corretto Martini
This cocktail takes inspiration from caffè corretto, the Italian habit of “fixing” espresso with a splash of alcohol. Instead of vodka, this modern twist uses tequila and a touch of grappa, giving it a bolder, more grown-up edge.
Rich espresso, subtle smokiness, and deep bitters come together in a drink that’s intense, energizing, and perfect after dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz reposado tequila
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz espresso (cooled)
- ¼ oz grappa
- 2 dashes mole bitters
How to Make:
Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled and frothy. Strain into a chilled martini glass and enjoy the creamy foam on top.
14. Sirene Spritz
Light, floral, and beautifully red, the Sirene Spritz feels like spring in a glass. Made with an Italian aperitif crafted from botanicals around Lake Garda and Verona, this drink is fragrant and refreshing, with soft notes of citrus, rhubarb, ginger, and gentle bitterness. Elegant yet easy to drink, it’s ideal for sunny afternoons or relaxed aperitivo moments.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz Sirene Aperitivo
- ½ oz elderflower liqueur
- 3 oz Prosecco
How to Make:
Pour the aperitif and elderflower liqueur into an ice-filled wine glass. Give it a quick stir, top with Prosecco, and garnish with a lemon slice.
15. Cappelletti Spritz
If Campari feels a little too intense, Cappelletti is its softer, more approachable cousin. This wine-based aperitif brings bright citrus notes of grapefruit and orange, balanced by gentle herbal spice. The result is a spritz that’s refreshing, aromatic, and effortlessly drinkable.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Cappelletti Aperitivo
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz soda water
How to Make:
Fill a large glass with ice. Add Cappelletti, top with Prosecco and soda water, then stir gently. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lemon for a fresh finish.
Savor the True Taste of Italy with Our Favorite Classic Cocktails
Italian cocktails capture the heart of la dolce vita through balance, ritual, and effortless style, from bitter-forward aperitifs to light, sparkling spritzes enjoyed from afternoon to night. Whether you love classics or modern twists, Italian cocktails prove that great drinks are as much about atmosphere as they are about flavor.
If you’re ready to experience that spirit in Bali, visit Jungle Club Ubud, where elevated vibes meet creative pours in the heart of the jungle. TJC serves fresh tequila infused with its signature wild edge, making it the perfect stop to toast Italian cocktails with a bold, unexpected twist.
