Italian Cocktails, Mocktails, and Liqueurs: What We're Sipping on the Terrace This Summer 🍹

Italian drinks for hot days, terrace evenings, and everything in between

We are full-on in summer mode here in Rome. With the temperature floating around 90°F (32°C), our days are centered on terrace living: outdoor meals, poolside chats, and most of all, drinks that are light, refreshing, and satisfying without being too alcoholic. Whether you’re lounging under a sun umbrella or hosting friends at dusk, there’s nothing better than a delicious drink in a beautiful glass with lots of ice.

Italians have long embraced the aperitivo culture—a ritual that is as much about slowing down as it is about drinking. Many Italian cocktails and mocktails are naturally low in alcohol and have a slightly bitter flavor profile. This bitterness, which stems from herbs, citrus, roots, and botanicals, is part of what makes Italian drinks unique. That being said, globalization has influenced Italian drinking culture, and you’ll now find plenty of international-style cocktails, too. Still, there’s something undeniably special about the classic Italian approach: simple ingredients, low alcohol, and flavor that lingers.