A Guide to Coffee & Cocktails in Italy

Italy has created some of my very favorite things. From Ferragamo to Ferrari to fettuccine, Italians know what’s good. So, why would their coffee and cocktails be any different?

My Coffee Cup Runneth Over

Coffee didn’t originate in Italy, but Italians got it there as quickly as they could. Although they didn’t invent java, they surely perfected the art of drinking it. Without Italy, Starbucks wouldn’t exist. At one time, there were no Starbucks in Italy, but the country’s coffee culture did inspire the company’s CEO, Howard Schultz, to create the internationally known brand as it is today. That’s a testament to Italy’s coffee influence.

Leave it to the Italians to call a place where you can get juice, pastries, and coffee–a bar. I’m sure you are having visions of booze bottles, pool tables, and unsanitary bathrooms. Don’t be put off by the bar term. Coffee bars in Italy are family oriented and cater to professionals who only have time for a quick cup of java.

When ordering in a coffee bar, keep in mind that there can be a difference in price that is determined by sitting or standing. A cappuccino can cost four times as much if you sit at a table rather than drinking it at the bar. Italians drink their coffee quickly at the bar, leaving the tables for the tourists. But don’t order a coffee by asking the bartender without your receipt in hand. At best he will ignore you. At worst he will give you a go-to-hell look.

To order an espresso in Italy, you can simply ask for a caffe and remember to drink it quickly. Espresso is not made to sip; it is made to be drunk in two or three drinks. Coffee is not served by itself and is drunk after a meal {with the exception of breakfast}. Ordering any coffee with milk after 11 am runs you the risk of being laughed at. I certainly don’t adhere to this rule. Laugh at me, but give me my after-dinner cappuccino.

There are numerous varieties of coffee drinks that you can order and each one is delicious. Here are just a few:

• Espresso : Known as caffe in Italy, served in a small cup  and strong in taste
• Doppio : A double espresso
• Lungo or Caffè Americano: An espresso made with more water
• Macchiato: Espresso that has steamed milk on top
• Cappuccino: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk
• Caffè Latte: Espresso made with more milk than a cappuccino and a small amount of foam, normally a breakfast drink
• Latte Macchiato: Steamed milk that includes a shot of espresso coffee

I can’t get enough coffee when I’m in Italy, and I’m convinced that the country would grind {pun intended} to a halt if disappeared.

Straight Up or On the Rocks

Leave it to the Italians to create some of the most famous, classic cocktails in the world. Let’s not forget the delicious liqueurs produced there as well. The Italians have a much more liberal attitude about alcohol than Americans. They certainly don’t need an excuse or special occasion to have a cocktail. Perhaps living in Italy is reason enough to celebrate.

Venice gave us the Bellini, a fusion of fresh peach juice and Prosecco served straight up. The Negroni hails from Florence and is becoming better known in the States. It’s a mixture of sweet vermouth, gin, and Campari that Italians clamor for. The Golden Cadillac, Campari and Soda, Americano, Caruso, and Rossini are also Italian classics. Be adventurous. If you don’t like the one you have, drink it down and order something different.

Even with the voluminous quantities of food that the Italians eat, they still seem to have room for a digestif, or after-dinner drink. A classic choice is Fernet-Branca, originally created in Milan as a stomach medicine. It is a bitter concoction. If you’re not that daring, there is a mint-flavored variety that can be served straight up or mixed with Coke. Similarly is China Antico Elixir, another medicinal-flavored liquor. It’s best when mixed with citrus flavors and can be drunk as an aperitif.

If you want something a little sweeter after dinner, have some limoncello. It’s a sugary, lemon-flavored drink. The best is homemade and is available in most every restaurant. Keep in mind that it’s about 30 proof alcohol, so don’t let the sweetness fool you. I absolutely made that mistake and paid the price.

Italy is about indulging, and there’s no better way to celebrate being in Rome, Florence, Milan, or Naples than a morning cappuccino, an afternoon espresso, and an evening Rossini. Alla tua salute!