Italians divide their drinking occasions into three parts: the aperitivo to start a meal, the wine or water to accompany a main course, and the digestivo to finish a table. This tradition has risen to a wide variety of Italian beverage flavors, ranging from fresh and bitter to sweet and citrusy.
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Italian Drinks at Caffè Milano
Here are some traditional Italian drinks and how to enjoy them.
1. Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz is one of the most popular cocktails in Italy's aperitivo tradition. It is made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, and is prepared with a slice of orange and a dash of soda on top of a glass filled with ice.
Being moderately dry and not very strong, this sparkling cocktail is great for an afternoon drink while you are out in the town before heading to dinner.
2. Negroni
The Negroni was invented in Florence by Count Camillo Negroni, who asked a bartender to replace soda water with an Americano with gin. The traditional drink is prepared with gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, all of which are shaken with ice and an orange peel.
The original recipe has been modified by contemporary bartenders to create unique cocktails, such as the Grand Negroni, which is prepared with Four Pillars gin and Antica Formula and is available at Caffè Milano.
Moreover, the Kretek Negroni, made with Roku gin and homemade pimento liqueur, Jalisco Negroni with tequila, which has been infused with bits, and Aged Grand Negroni, which has been aged in an American bourbon whiskey barrel.
3. Garibaldi
The Garibaldi cocktail is made from Campari and fresh orange juice. It is important to shake the orange juice until a certain frothiness starts to form.
This step will ensure that the unpleasant bitterness of Campari is balanced out by the sweet aftertaste of the orange juice. Garibaldi is a great choice for starting to taste bitter Italian cocktails.
4. Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy, made from Glera grapes. It is known for its lively bubbles and aromas of green apple, pear, and white flowers.
You can enjoy Prosecco on its own, served chilled in a glass, or as a base for various spritz cocktails, including the Elderflower Spritz, which combines elderflower liqueur and tonic water.
5. Vermouth
Vermouth is a fortified wine flavored with a blend of herbs, roots, spices, and citrus peels. It became widely known through legendary producers from Turin, including Antica Formula and Cocchi.
Sweet vermouth has a reddish-brown color with rich vanilla and spice aromas, while bianco vermouth is lighter with floral notes.
In Italy, vermouth is often served chilled with a piece of orange peel. It is also an essential ingredient in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Manhattan.
6. Limoncello
Limoncello is a traditional Italian liqueur from southern Italy, particularly the Sorrento and Amalfi areas.
It is made by steeping lemon peels in pure alcohol until the aromatic oils are fully extracted, then mixing the infusion with sugar syrup.
The result is a bright yellow drink with an intense lemon aroma.
Limoncello is usually served chilled in a small glass after dinner. Its sweet and tangy flavor provides a refreshing finish to the meal.
To complete the traditional Italian dining experience, you can follow it with a cup of espresso.
7. Amaro
Amaro is a family of bitter Italian herbal liqueurs made with dozens of botanical ingredients, including plants, roots, and spices.
Among the wide varieties available, Amaro Montenegro is one of the more approachable options, thanks to its prominent citrus and vanilla notes.
Averna offers a sweeter profile with hints of caramel, while Ramazzotti has distinctive notes of licorice.
At Caffè Milano, you can try Honey Amaro, a house creation made with Amaro Montenegro, lemon, and honey.
8. Fernet-Branca
Fernet-Branca is one of the most bitter members of the amaro family. This iconic liqueur from Milan is made with 27 botanical ingredients, including myrrh, chamomile, and saffron. The taste is very bitter, followed by a refreshing menthol finish.
Its bitterness is considerably stronger than Amaro Montenegro or Averna. In the United States, Fernet-Branca is especially popular among bartenders as a drink to enjoy at the end of a shift.
In Italy, it is often served in a small portion after a heavy meal as a traditional digestivo.
9. Espresso and Affogato
Coffee is a common way to end a meal in Italy. Espresso is traditionally served in a small cup without milk.
There is also a cappuccino, which is traditionally enjoyed in the morning. Many Italians avoid drinking milk-based coffee later in the day because they believe it can be harder to digest.
If you prefer something sweeter, try an affogato at Caffè Milano. This Italian dessert combines the rich bitterness of espresso with the sweetness of vanilla ice cream.
10. Italian Mocktails
You can enjoy the aperitivo tradition without alcohol. One option is the Virgin Garibaldi, which retains the signature foamy, orange-juice texture and offers a gentle bitterness.
Another option is the Italian Colada, which combines refreshing tropical fruit flavors with coconut.
Caffè Milano also serves other refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy in the afternoon, including Sakura Soda, Coco the Dragon, and Matcha Pistachio.
The Best Time to Enjoy Italian Drinks in Jakarta
Late afternoon, just before sunset, is a great time to order a spritz or Negroni. The atmosphere is similar to the traditional aperitivo hours in Northern Italian cities.
To make the experience even more enjoyable, Caffè Milano PIK Avenue offers an all-day happy hour promotion with the following deals:
• Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Aperol Spritz, Classic Negroni, Gin & Tonic, Elderflower Spritz, and Highball.
• Buy 2 Get 3 on Heineken Bottle.
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Taste Italian Drinks at Caffè Milano!
Caffè Milano offers seven Negroni variations, a selection of Italian amaro, and a range of mocktails for guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks.
As a trattoria led by Chef Luca Pezzera, Caffè Milano serves Northern Italian home-style cuisine in a warm and elegant setting that remains relaxed and inviting.
Visit for lunch, dinner with family, or simply an aperitivo before your next event.
Make a reservation at Caffè Milano PIK Avenue or Caffè Milano Grand Indonesia, and enjoy your favorite Italian drinks alongside a selection of Italian dishes.
