Drinking and Dining in Italy

Yes, I'm looking forward to the amazing history, art, culture, architecture etc. etc. etc. in Italy. BUT, I'm probably more excited about the amazing food and drinks we'll enjoy while there. Let's start with the liquid enjoyment.

Let's start with wine.
House wine.
It's the only white or red they serve (in a juice glass, no less), and it's perfect.

Besides the wonderful wines that Italy is know for, I'm wondering if the popular Italian drink, Negroni, can be made with something OTHER THAN GIN - which I detest. It sounds delicious (other than the GIN). Will have to try one regardless. Here's the recipe:
NEGRONI

Ingredients
•2 tablespoons gin
•2 tablespoons Campari
•2 tablespoons sweet vermouth
•1 orange twist
•Prosecco (optional)
Preparation
•Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass; stir gently and garnish with an orange twist. More-formal types prefer it straight up in a Martini glass. Top with Prosecco for something a bit more celebratory.

Another fun sounding drink is the Americano.
The Milano-Torino, an old-school Italian concoction named for the origins of its two main ingredients—Campari from Milan and Cinzano vermouth from Turin—became so popular with visiting Americans during Prohibition that it was renamed the Americano. And at least there's no GIN.



AMERICANO
Recipe:

Ingredients
•3 tablespoons Campari
•1 1/2 tablespoons Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
•1 1/2 tablespoons Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
•Club soda
•1 orange twist and/or lemon wedge
Preparation
•Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Campari and Vermouths. Top with club soda; garnish with an orange twist or lemon wedge, or both. Serve with a straw.


BELLINI

A more familiar drink, but delish nonetheless!

Ingredients:

The Bellini is a peachy version of the Champagne Cocktail and makes a great brunch cocktail. The story behind the drink is that is was created in the 1930's or 40's at Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy by bartender Giuseppe Cipriani and was named after a favorite painter, Giovanni Bellini. Originally, the Bellini was intended to use sparkling Italian wine and is still made that way in Italy, elsewhere it is often made with Champagne.
Ingredients:
•2 oz peach juice or peach puree
•4 oz Champagne
Preparation:
1.Pour the peach juice or peach puree into a Champagne flute.
2.Slowly add the Champagne.



ROSSINI

OK, so it's very similar to a Bellini, but it sounds amazing and refreshing (especially since we'll be there in July!).

Ingredients:
3/10 Nettare di fragole (strawberry juice), 7/10 Spumante Brut
Preparation: It is a variation of the Bellini. Same preparation.
















ESPRESSO

Another wonderful Italian drink is a non-alcoholic one - an espresso!
You can get a rich, crema-topped espresso just about anywhere. Not preparing it at home, just ready to enjoy the experience while abroad.

Now onto the food!