A complete guide to

Italian Spirits
& Liqueurs

With a history stretching back to the Middle Ages, many Italian spirits and liqueurs were first concocted by well-meaning monks for medicinal purposes. As a result, the exact mixtures of aromatic herbs, spices, fruits and distilled alcohol were often kept secret from the wider public. Although Italians drink spirits and liqueurs for pleasure instead these days, their ingredients remain shrouded in mystery – with centuries-old recipes guarded like family secrets.

From the pre-dinner ritual of aperitivo to the traditional after-dinner digestivo, spirits and liqueurs are an integral part of the Italian dining experience. Here’s our guide to Italy’s finest liquori.

Italian Spirits Our recipe boxes

Everything you need to know

Spirits & Liqueurs in Italian Culture

Italian liqueurs are split into two main categories: aperitivo and digestivo. Aperitivi are typically bitter, lower-alcohol liqueurs, normally served alongside a salty snack in order to ‘open’ the appetite for the evening meal. Campari, Aperol, Cynar and vermouth are all popular aperitivi. In contrast, digestivi are higher-alcohol liqueurs sipped after a meal to aid digestion – think limoncello, sambuca, amaro or grappa. A new breed of spirit producers are also putting Italian gin on the map.

A complete guide to

Aperitivo Drinks

A complete guide to

Digestivo Drinks

A complete guide to

Italian Gin

A complete guide to

Italian Cocktails

Your questions answered

What is Aperitivo?

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.”
- Giuseppe Verdi

Our favourite cocktails using Italian spirits and liqueurs

PROSECCO, BERGAMOT, GRAPEFRUIT

Italicus Spritz

MARTINI, MARTINI ROSSO, GIN, ORANGE

La Vita e' Bella Martini

PROSECCO, MIRTO LIQUEUR

Mirto Spritz

Vodka, Prosecco, Lemon Sorbet

Sgroppino

CAMPARI, VERMOUTH, GIN

Negroni

APEROL, PROSECCO

Aperol Spritz

GIN, PROSECCO, BLOOD ORANGE

Amalfy Sunset Spritz

Campari, Vermouth, Prosecco

Negroni Sbagliato

CAMPARI, PROSECCO

Campari Spritz

Campari, Vermouth

Milano-Torino

VODKA, BLOOD ORANGE

Arancello

WATCH OUR VIDEO

How to make the
perfect Aperol Spritz

Pasta Evangelists' head pasta chef Roberta D’Elia demonstrates how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz. Crafted with Aperol and Prosecco, Roberta then finishes her Aperol Spritz with a splash of soda water and a slice of blood orange. This slightly bitter Aperitivo cocktail is refreshingly delicious. Buon appetito!

READ FULL RECIPE

Italian Spirits & Liqueurs FAQs

What are the most popular Italian liqueurs?

Although Aperol is seemingly everywhere now, Campari is arguably Italy’s most popular aperitivo liqueur. This bitter red Italian liqueur works just as well with a splash of soda as it does in some of Italy's most famous cocktails – from the Americano to the Negroni. For a post-dinner digestivo, amaro leads the way – Milan’s Fernet Branca or Bologna’s Amaro Montenegro are particularly popular.

How to make a classic negroni

Which flavours work well with Italian gin?

Italy is known for its flavoursome local botanicals, so most Italian gins need little more than tonic, ice and some citrus to shine. Beyond this classic pairing, some citrus-heavy Italian gins can even be enjoyed neat. In terms of food pairings, citrusy gins work well with lighter seafood dishes, while juniper-heavy Italian gins work better with cured meats and other salty antipasti.

Read our guide to Italian gin

Which Italian desserts use liqueurs as ingredients?

Italian liqueurs play a key role in many famous Italian desserts. Take tiramisú, classic recipes call for amaretto, but limoncello-laced versions are also popular. Less well-known is zuppa Inglese – Italy’s version of the English trifle, which uses an Italian liqueur called Alchermes. And if you don’t have room for dessert, do as the Italians do and add a little liqueur to your post-dinner coffee.

View Our Italian Dessert Recipes

PASTA DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Has all the talk of aperitivo awakened your appetite? A true taste of Italy is just a few clicks away. Our pasta boxes can be delivered across the UK, then prepared at home in minutes. Take a look at our weekly menu below to explore our delicious range of dishes, sides and desserts.

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