When asked of her favourite summer tipple, without hesitation, our head chef and Pugliese native, Roberta D’Elia talked of sipping a refreshingly light and fruity Martini Rosso cocktail on a beach, under the region's particularly formidable sun. Declaring this cocktail the “la vita è bella”, Roberta described a fruity (and deceptively strong!) concoction of Martini Rosso, Martini Extra Dry, gin and orange juice - stipulating the latter simply had to come from Gargano, a sun-drenched sub-region in Puglia, that juts into the Adriatic Sea. Indeed, Gargano is famed for its citrus, as one of the few spots along the Adriatic coast where the fruit flourish, where orange groves pepper the landscape, and the trees bear fruit year-round.
Roberta especially loves the fiery ruby hue of this cocktail, as well as its fruity notes of sweet oranges and tangerines, and refreshingly bitter aftertaste. Served short and with plenty of ice, this tipple certainly packs a punch - our Pugliese pasta-guru was quick to deliver her warning here: “after a couple of these cocktails you need a long Siesta..”
La Vita è Bella Recipe
Ingredients:
- 50ml Martini Rosso
- 25ml Martini Extra Dry
- 25ml gin
- 15ml orange juice
- Orange slice, to garnish
Method
- Fill a rock glass with ice, before adding a double shot of Martini Rosso, single shots of both Martini Extra Dry and gin, and a splash of orange juice.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly, until the liquid is ice cold. Serve with a slice of orange, and enjoy. Salute!
What better way to complete this homage to Puglia, than with a heaping plate of fresh orecchiette with tomato and basil pomodoro? The light and refreshing pasta and punchy aperitivo are best enjoyed in the blazing sun of the Italian south, though make for a perfect al fresco combination, regardless of location.
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