Italy is best known for her wines and images of the vineyards of Chianti and sipping prosecco in Venice are disseminated all over the internet, television and travel guides. However, wines are not the only delicious tipples that can be found in Italy. There are plenty of other liqueurs and cocktails and other alcoholic beverages that are unique to, and typical of, the country that you should try while relaxing there on your next Italian getaway.
Cinzano, for example, is an Italian brand of vermouth, that dates back to the 18th century. It was created by two brothers, Giovanni Giacomo and Carlo Stefano Cinzano, in a herbal shop in Turin in 1757 and made using "aromatic plants from the Italian Alps in a [still-secret] recipe combining 35 ingredients (including marjoram, thyme, and yarrow)". It became known as the "vermouth of Turin" and was a popular drink among the bourgeoisie of Turin.
They began with an amber-coloured "vermouth rosso" (red vermouth), which was followed by Cinzano Bianco, a white and drier version. Today, there are two more flavours: Cinzano Extra Dry, a dry vermouth, and the rosy-coloured Cinzano Rosé.
Over the years, the beverage was provided by appointment to the Royal Savoy Court, has been featured in some of the most iconic advertisements ever produced in Italy, hoarded and walled into an underground passage to prevent damage during WWII, and was advertised by Joan Collins.
Used in plenty of cocktails and consumed on its own, this versatile and beloved drink is one of the must-try alcoholic beverages that any serious foodie will seek out on vacation in Italy. If you have browsed our luxury villas in Tuscany and have settled on a destination, all that is left is to get planning your trip so be sure to pencil in some time to head to a local bar or one of Florence's iconic cafes to try out this very Italian tipple.
They began with an amber-coloured "vermouth rosso" (red vermouth), which was followed by Cinzano Bianco, a white and drier version. Today, there are two more flavours: Cinzano Extra Dry, a dry vermouth, and the rosy-coloured Cinzano Rosé.
Over the years, the beverage was provided by appointment to the Royal Savoy Court, has been featured in some of the most iconic advertisements ever produced in Italy, hoarded and walled into an underground passage to prevent damage during WWII, and was advertised by Joan Collins.
Used in plenty of cocktails and consumed on its own, this versatile and beloved drink is one of the must-try alcoholic beverages that any serious foodie will seek out on vacation in Italy. If you have browsed our luxury villas in Tuscany and have settled on a destination, all that is left is to get planning your trip so be sure to pencil in some time to head to a local bar or one of Florence's iconic cafes to try out this very Italian tipple.
Photo credit: Lobozpics / CC BY-SA 3.0
