Italians are the best at cocktail hour. In Italy if you sit down for a cocktail in a bar they will bring you a delicious assortment of bar snacks at no charge. Apertivi, the drinks you might have before dinner are generally low in alcohol and very refreshing. A traditional Negroni calls for gin rather than prosecco so it can pack a punch. This version is much lighter.
Italian cocktail hour is not a discounted hour, and it’s definitely for getting drunk. Self-respecting Italians would never get drunk in public. Che imbarazzo!
- 1 C. ice
- 1 oz. Campari
- 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- 3 oz. Prosecco or other sparkling white wine
- lemon or orange wedge
Fill a tumbler with ice, pour in the Campari, and the vermouth. Stir. Top with Prosecco and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Orange is traditional but I like that the lemon doesn’t sweeten the drink.
