With summertime upon us, a trip to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast would be an ideal getaway. But if a vacation is not possible, you can still delight in one segment of Italian hospitality from your home - the aperitivo hour. Our top picks of Italian cocktails require ingredients you likely already have and are impressively easy to create. Some are classics, like the Negroni, while others bring in a dash of novelty, like the Espresso Corretto Martini, that combines tequila and grappa. Then, we have the slushy and summer-suited Sgroppino, calling for vodka, lemon juice, and Prosecco. Also, some spritzes draw from popular and distinctive Italian aperitivos such as Aperol, Campari, Contratto, Sirene, and Cappelletti.

Whether you're inviting guests for an Italian-themed dinner or gearing up for a future travel adventure, we're here to help with your aperitivo hour. Prepare to experience balanced, invigorating cocktails that encapsulate the finest of Italian drinking culture.

The Negroni, first served in 1919, owes its genesis to Count Camillo Negroni, who requested his regular Americano be spiked with gin instead of soda water at his favored Florentine cafe. Aperol, the iconic orange aperitif, was birthed by brothers Silvio and Luigi Barbieri in 1919 and quickly gained a country-wide fame for its gratifying bitter, herbaceous taste. Nowadays, Aperol is known around the globe for its role in the Aperol Spritz.

In 1948, Guiseppi Cipriani concocted the Bellini at his Venice restaurant, Harry’s Bar. His fondness for white peaches led him to pair peach puree with prosecco, creating a beverage that was soon to become a staple on menus globally. Cappelletti, a wine-based aperitif with red color, herbaceous aromas, and citrus flavors takes the limelight in bright, aromatic spritzes. A spritz frequently enjoyed at Sicilian chioscos is a simple, refreshing antidote to the summer heat.

As per the Campari bar in Milan, the Americano was first served in the 1860s and is often revered as the precursor to the Negroni. This pleasingly bitter highball has aromatic sweet vermouth, and sparkling water's central role should not be confused with Americano coffee.

A Sbagliato leans on the effervescence of prosecco for its bubbles and a dash of added dryness. The fruit-forward Italian sparkling wine balances the bitter Campari and aids in lightening the earthier flavors found in sweet vermouth. The substitute of prosecco for gin makes Sbagliato a lower alcohol by volume alternative to a classic Negroni.

Sirene, a red aperitif like Campari and Cappelletti, is a delectable concoction made with 23 botanicals, many cultivated around Lake Garda and Verona. The spirits of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes, combined with notes of orange, rhubarb, ginger, and gentian, create a unique experience.

Finally, not to be ignored is the Sgroppino, Italy's answer to America's frosé. With lemon sorbet, vodka, and prosecco, this zesty sparkler is both a delightful treat and a summer refresher. But beware, this slushy drink is stronger than you’d assume, with a dose of vodka and the Italian bubbly.