Savouring a late-afternoon or evening beverage has its own name in Italy – aperitivo. Italians know that you’ve got to stop, sit back and relax into your surroundings when having a drink. Before, during or after aperitivo hour, be sure to try something authentic.
Coffee
Coffee is a true artform in Italy and is highly regarded, so expect to see cafes (known as a bar in Italian) packed full of locals standing and sipping an espresso at any time of the day. While cappuccinos are on the menu, it’s customary to only drink milk-based coffees in the morning – after then, you might get a strange look from the barista. Be careful, too – ‘latte’ in Italian just means milk, so if you want a coffee instead of a glass of milk, order a ‘caffe latte’.
Wine
Would you care for a glass of vino? Wine in Italy flows almost more than water, but ordering a glass with all the different types of labels and varietals on offer may be daunting. Look out for DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) or DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) classifications, which act to protect the quality of Italian wine. DOCG is the highest classification, so you’ll know you’re tasting some top-notch stuff.
Prosecco
Named after the village of the same name, this (usually) sparkling style of wine is made from the glera grape and has a crisp and aromatic flavour, often with hints of summer fruits. It’s drunk before a meal and Italians use it in a wide range of homegrown cocktails like the Venetian sgroppino, where it's combined with vodka and lemon sorbet.
Granita
Is this a food or a drink? Well, it depends whether you use a straw or a spoon! Different flavours of granita are found throughout Italy – berries, lemon, coffee – and Sicily has the thickest type of icy goodness. Whatever variation you choose, it’s delicious.
Campari
This liqueur is the bigger, bolder sibling of Aperol – a crimson and herbaceous concoction commonly found on an aperitivo menu or in some strong alcohol-heavy cocktails. It can have up to 28% alcohol content, so a little goes a long way.
Negroni
What’s a boozy cocktail that Campari features in? A Negroni, of course. This is a classic mixture of gin, Campari and vermouth, with a nice large ice block and a garnish of orange. It is said that this cocktail was invented in Florence by a patron who demanded the bartender replace the soda in an Americano with gin. Must’ve needed a stiff drink that night.
Veneziano
Heard of a Veneziano? Possibly not. Heard of an Aperol Spritz? Probably yes, and lucky for you they’re the same thing. There is no one recipe for this type of spritz – different liqueurs (such as Campari) can be used, and select garnishes depending on the type of alcohol. Either or, it’s the perfect companion for a warm summer’s evening.
Digestivo
Just as an aperitivo prepares your stomach for a meal, Italy has a selection of digestivos with herbal properties to aid in digestion. There’s Amari, Limoncello, Grappa, Sambuca and many more.Â
Â
Â
Â
Click to read what to eat in Italy
Our tours in Italy
4 Days
From
870
See a different side to the Veneto region with this four-day Intrepid Retreat based in...
8 Days
From
1640
Travel to Italy on a tour from Rome to Amalfi and explore the best of the region....
14 Days
From
2765
Immerse yourself in classic culture, history and incredible sights on this Best of...
8 Days
From
1330
See the best of Italy – Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – in eight...
15 Days
From
2020
Explore charming Central Europe from Germany to Italy on a 15-day Lonely Planet...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
8 Days
From
1790
Mountains, forests and beaches – soak up the spectacular scenery of Italy’s Amalfi...
10 Days
From
2680
Travel to Italy and savour the many flavours of this gastronomic haven on a journey...
8 Days
From
1720
Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure...
8 Days
From
1684
Set sail across the clear blue waters of Sardinia, exploring rugged coastlines, wild...
8 Days
From
2510
Take a small-ship adventure cruise along Croatia's northern coast from Split to Venice....
7 Days
From
1671
Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast, exploring the Bay of Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Procida...
10 Days
From
1450
Travel with Lonely Planet and Intrepid from Split to Venice in 10 days, stopping at...
8 Days
From
1805
Walk into a world that's a play of colourful houses and blue sea as you amble between...
15 Days
From
3310
Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure. Discover gothic architecture...
10 Days
From
1925
Take a tour through Italy’s less-visited southern region, absorbing the beauty of...
4 Days
From
858
Set sail along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in four days with Intrepid, cruising to the scenic...
4 Days
From
858
Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast from the colourful village of Procida, through ancient worlds...
15 Days
From
3415
Discover the secrets of Calabria and the highlights of Sicily on this 15-day adventure...
15 Days
From
1868
Discover Central Europe on this 15-day journey from Germany to Italy. Start in Berlin,...
8 Days
From
3260
Cruise the Adriatic coast, navigating the coastlines of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania,...
8 Days
From
2150
Pamper the appetite and treat the senses on this exquisite journey through Italy’s Lake...
22 Days
From
3250
Discover Central Europe’s most romantic cities on a 22-day Lonely Planet Experience...
8 Days
From
2510
Intrepid's 8-day adventure cruise down Croatia's northern coast. Visit Krk, Zadar,...
19 Days
From
2555
Experience Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia,...
8 Days
From
1970
See Italy in the cooler months, hitting Rome, Florence, Pisa and Bologna before...
8 Days
From
2165
Explore the traditional delights of Italian cuisine while travelling through the...
8 Days
From
1950
From the ruins of Rome, to the ancient city of Pompeii and the seaside delights of...
17 Days
From
3465
Kick off this Roman holiday in Rome, the heart of Italy. Live history as you explore...
36 Days
From
6260
Visit Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy plus a host of secrets in...
15 Days
From
4680
Take in Croatia’s beauty while sailing from Dubrovnik to Italy's Venice, dropping...
17 Days
From
2700
Enjoy a European tasting platter on this 17-day Lonely Planet Experience, powered by...
26 Days
From
3840
Set out from Hungary with Lonely Planet and Intrepid to the cultures and cuisines of...
8 Days
From
2210
Indulge your taste buds on a tour of southern Italy, visiting Rome, Bari, Matera and...
29 Days
From
4970
Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary,...
22 Days
From
4945
Travel to Pompeii, Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands, Taormina and Mt Etna on a tour from...
15 Days
From
4680
Meet your group in Venice and then set sail from Opatija, dropping anchor at Krk, Rab,...