Delicious Aperitivo’s + tasty (gin) cocktails
Perhaps our most favourite Italian tradition is the aperitivo, a cocktail combined with a light meal that takes place at the end of the day. As we head into summer and the festive season, most of us will be entertaining friends and family and enjoying a few pre-dinner tipples as the sun starts to set.
![Cocktail](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/12/cocktail.jpg)
There’s no need to keep an Italian Mama in your kitchen cupboard. Simply pair your favourite Ginato* cocktails with some much-loved Italian morsels. Remember that snacks must be simple, artistic, tasty… and need to be eaten by hand. We would also suggest a few large round wooden boards for serving and cotton linen napkins. Simply add side plates, tiny forks or toothpicks and everyone can help themselves with minimal fuss – which means that you can actually get a chance to mingle and chat to everyone.
*Beautifully made premium Italian gin, Ginato Gin, is the very essenza dell’ Italia, with its effortlessly chic, timeless, sunshine-drenched way of life, distilled in a bottle. Designed to enhance a good time, Ginato gins are ideal for all occasions and if the Italians have taught us anything, it’s to enjoy life to the full, appreciate beauty in all its forms and take the time to savour good food and drinks.
Ginato Melograno Fizz
Paired with Charcuterie Board
Ditch the tonic for bubbles and pair with a charcuterie of Italian meats ― prosciutto, cured ham, Italian salami and olives.
Recipe:
- 35ml Ginato Melograno
- Dash of Elderflower syrup (or liquer)
- Prosecco (we recommend Mionetto, Italian of course!)
- Combine all ingredients in a champagne flute and garnish with pomegranate.
Ginato Pompelmo Negroni
Paired with Italian Cheeses
The bittersweet notes of a negroni are the perfect match for an Italian hard cheese like Pecorino or Parmesan.
Recipe:
- 25ml Ginato Pompelmo
- 25ml Campari
- 25ml Rosso Vermouth
- Build in a glass with cubed ice and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Ginato Clementino
Paired with slices of margherita pizza
One of the simplest, best-loved culinary creations. A tasty choice that caters for everyone from vegetarians to kids – and a must if you’re having a wide range of different people over.
Recipe:
- 50 ml Ginato Clementino
- 125 ml Fever Tree Mediteranean Tonic
- Build in a tall glass glass with cubed ice and garnish with a slice of Clementine.
Ginato Limonato Spritz
Paired with (very moreish) tomato-based arancini balls. Make your own… or go the cheat’s route and buy them from your closest Italian deli. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- 50ml Ginato Limonato Gin
- 50ml Prosecco
- 20ml Orange liqueur
- 20ml Soda
- Garnish: with a lemon slice
- Method: Combine all ingredients over ice in a large wine glass.
Ginato Ginger Gin Fizz
- 50ml Ginato Limonato Gin
- 100ml Cranberry juice
- Fresh orange juice
- Ginger ale
- Rosemary sprig / cranberries to garnish
- Garnish: with fresh cranberries
- Method: Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Pour in gin, orange juice and cranberry juice. Stir and top up with ginger ale.