Drinking for Dummies The Alchoholics Guide to Drinking In Rome
America V The Difference in
America is typically associated with loud mouths and heavy beer, and to tell the truth, it isn’t that far off the mark. Drinking is part of the culture in America. As well as getting drunk. Loud bars, rowdy tail gates, and busy happy hours are a common sight in bars and taverns around the country. Happy hour in America is not focused on food. Happy hour in America is typically focused on one thing, getting drunk on a cheap dollar. Vodka sodas and heavy beers are consumed at a race like pace. Typically, from four-six or five seven, Americans cram as much ethanol into their buddies as possible until drinks revert to their standard price. Don’t get me wrong, food is consumed as well, however it is not to compliment the drinks, only the calories. Where drinking alcohol in Italy is done in a methodical manner, Alcohol consumption in the states does not carry much reason besides offering a way to socialize with friends and coworkers after a long day of work. On Friday and Satrudays, drinks are consumed faster then lightening. Beers turn into vodka Redbulls and shots turn into hangovers. The name of the game in America is indulgence. There is not much method to the madness of American drinking.
Vs. Italys Drinking Culture
In Italian culture, drinking is closely linked to eating. Public intoxication and excessive drinking is seriously frowned upon and not often seen amoung locals. In recent years, pub crawls and night clubs aimed at tourists have become increasingly popular, espcially in Rome, but drinking like a local is a great way to engage with the culture during your trip. Apertivo is usually a cocktail, wine or liqueur served with snacks and is meant to stimulate the appetite before a meal. Common drinks are prosecco, Campari and Aperol. There are often accompanied by cured meats, cheese and olives. Digestivos can be served after meals. They are usually her-infused liueurs known for their digestive properties and can be the perfect finish to a rich meal. Typical digestivi include limoncello, nocino, and galliano. An alternative to the typical liquer-based digestivo would be a dessert wine like Tuscan vin santo.
Index Wine House Wine GewĂźrztraminer Calice Fragolella Pechella Home Vodka Sour Peria di Vitigno
13,14 18,20 22 24 24 26 28
Liqueur Amaros Digestifs Fernet Branca Montenegro Averna Amaro Siciliano Apertifs Campari Hugo Negroni
5,6 8 9 9 9 10 12 12 30 30
Editors notes We are just four american students who were ready to embrace Italian drinking culter, we weren’t expecting such a culture shock and to be honest, we have no clue what we are talking about, so take this entire guide book with that in mind. As much as we drink at home, only half of us are parties animals... and Jake is the biggest of them all. Working at a local liquor shop, he is the most knowledgable of the group. Then comes Maddy, who works at a famous pizza resturaunt. Her knowledge comes form working in the restraunt and going out on the weekends. Then comes Mira, once a party animal, now a retired wine and gin and tonic drinker. Lastly comes Jana who isn’t even supposed to be drinking but, there isn’t a drinking age in Italy right ;) So cheers, We hope you enjoy our Italian drinking extravaganza.
LIQU
UEUR
amaros
Amaro, which is the Italian word for bitter, is a bitter herbal liqueur that originated from Italy that is derived from mixing botanicals such as herbs, spice, roots, and many other aromatic things with sweet additives to a variety brandy’s. Amari are all very different from each other, each region of Italy is famous for its own amaro and stick to a specific expression of the amaro. The final product is typically an herbal and bitter mix that is consumed after, and sometimes before a meal that aids in digestion and appetite. Other than wine, amaro has been the drink of choice in Italy for hundreds of years. Those that aid in digestion are considered a digestif and those to aid in appetite are considered an aperitif. Amari land on a vast scale of variety. Some brands such as Fernet Branca and Averna are much more bitter and herbal compared to brands such as Aeperol or Campari. Amari are also used in various cocktails such as a Negroni, a popular Italian cocktail, or a spritz. These cocktails are just as common and popular as the amari that help make them. Despite their popularity in Italy, amari have not made much of a name for themselves in the states, Amari can also be used medicinal, claiming they can calm an upset stomach, and work as a cure for hangovers as well as overeating.
Digestifs Fernet Branca Fernet Branca hails from the Italian city of Milan and was created in 1845 by a man from that city by the name of Bernardino Branca. Fernet Branca is made from a blend of twenty-seven different herbs, spices, and roots such as; bitter orange peel, chamomile, myrrh, and zedoary to name a few. The liqueur is then aged in Slovenian oak barrels for at least a year. The drink has also found much popularity in Argentina and has been considered a national drink to them, where they typically mix it with Coke. Fernet Branca is considered a digestif as it is used to aid in digestion. Fernet Branca is a dark, coffee like liqueur that holds a strong oily appearance to it. Typically served neat or on the rocks. A glass of Fernet Branca is typically around six euro. However, you can buy a bottle from anywhere between fourteen to twenty euro. I bought a glass of Fernet Branca at a restaurant in Venice called Rossapomodora, however Fernet Branca can be found almost at any eatery in Italy. Fernet Branca has a strong eucalyptus scent that gives off to a lot of bitter and some sweetness, one sniff and one might think they are about to drink an essential oil. The scent gives off very strong medicinal notes, close to cough syrup. The taste has a very strong herbal bitterness to it, most likely bringing a cringe to your face if you are not prepared. Surprisingly at 39% alcohol there is little burn. As if the bitterness overtakes the strength of the alcohol. Orange peel and eucalyptus take over a majority of the palate as well but gives off to a more medicinal finish. The taste is an acquired taste, if you’re a first time amaro drinker this may not be the best place to start, however it gets its job as a digestif.
Montenegro Amaro Montenegro was invented by a man named Stanislao Cobianchi, who started the company in 1885. Montenegro gets its name from the queen of Italy in the early 20 th century named Princess Elena of Montenegro. Amaro Montenegro hails from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and contains over forty different botanicals, such as dried orange peel, oregano, and coriander seeds. They blend these to create twelve separate extracts which are then blended with alcohol. Montenegro is one of the most popular amaros in Italy due to the fact that it offers a much more approachable and sweeter taste compared to other amaros. Montenegro is typically consumed after a meal as a digestif. Montenegro is typically drank on the rocks or neat. In this case, I had it neat in a rocks glass. Amaro Montenegro has a slightly lighter color than other amaros. A clear orange tint can be seen, and it is also more translucent. I had this drink at an Irish style pub in Rome called The Flann O’Briens. Amaro Montenegro typically rings in around six euro and around fifteen euro for a bottle. This was my second amaro I tried after Fernet Branca, so I was happy to hear it was a much more “gentle” expression of an amaro. The scent on Montenegro is much more pleasing and has a strong scent of sweet orange. Much like the scent, Montenegro is quite tasty and has a majority orange peel on the palate. Not extremely bitter orange, but sweet sugar orange. This sweetness transitions into a mild bitterness and medicinal cough syrup taste but fades right back to bitter sweet orange for the finish. There are some citrus and other fruity notes as well. At 23% Montenegro is sort of strong, which I am assuming is due to the lack of bitterness to hide the alcohol. A good choice for first time amaro drinkers. Enjoy this after a meal for a good mix of a desert drink and digestif.
Averna Amaro Siciliano Averna Amaro Siciliano, an Italian favorite, is a perfect balance of bitter, spice, and sweetness for an amaro. First made in 1868 In Sicily, Italy, this amaro is bottled at 29% alcohol and has used the same recipe since its creation. The ingredients of this family hidden recipe originate from around the Mediterranean, making this amaro is a hometown favorite to Italy. Usually served neat or on the rocks Averna takes the color of rich chocolate, ice coffee and dark syrup. I had this at a nice little Italian restaurant in downtown Monti. Averna lands on the slightly more expensive side of the amaro world coming in around eight euro for a glass and twenty-one euro for a bottle. Similar to Fernet Branca, Bitterness takes over the nose with some eucalyptus & and even some orange. After the first sip, I would consider Averna to be like Fernet Brancas cousin, you know, the one you actually get along with. A well-balanced mix of bitterness, herbal flower, and sweet dry fruit makes this amaro pleasantly drinkable. The balance of this Amaro makes it perfect for cocktails. A good after dinner digestif as well. Order with ice or neat and enjoy its bitterness after a full plate of diavola pizza or spaghetti al Pomodoro.
Apertifs
Campari
Campari is an aperitif amaro that dates back all the way from the 1860s when a man by the name of Gaspare Campari created it. Like most amaros, Campari is a blend of herbs, fruits, spices, and alcohol. Gaspare’s recipe for Campari has never been disclosed. Campari is one of the most commonly found amaros in Italy and can be found almost anywhere. Since Campari is considered an aperitif, it is typically drank before a meal. Many cocktails are made with Campari, including a famous aperitivo drink, the Spritz. At 24% abv, the alcohol content lands right in the middle in the world of amari and is fairly easy to drink by itself. Campari is usually mixed with cocktails such as spritz or Negronis but can be drank neat or on the rocks as well. Campari is a reddish orange clear liqueur. Campari is fairly cheap but can be pricier when mixed into a cocktail. Campari smells like some sort of medicine my mom use to force me to drink when I was little kid. A bitter, fruity, and citrus taste is immediately detected on first sip. What surprised me is the hints of cinnamon and cloves combined with the overall taste. There is a very subtle alcohol burn that is almost undetectable. If you are not interested in the fruity and sweet taste of an Aperol Spritz for your aperitif, then Campari is your perfect consolation.
VIN
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Wine in Italy
Italy is home to Moscato, Chianti, Amarone and Prosecco. It has rich and diverse wine heritage dating back more than two thousand years. Famous for its bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles, Italy is also significant for the sheer volume of wine in produces: just over 4 billion liters in 2012 and 197,700 acers, it rivaled in this regard only by France and Spain. Italy is divided into 22 regions, all of which produce wine (to some extent). Each region has its flagship wine styles. Some famous because they are produced in lare volumes and can be found all over the world, others because of their consistently high quality. Italy’s vineyards are home to more than 2,000 grape varieties, many of which are on the brink of extinction. All of Italy’s grae varieties, famous or not, face serious competition from better-known French varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc). Italy is unmistakabley on the map, with its iconic, boot-like shape. The most significant, when both quality and quantiy come into play are Tuscany, Piedmon, and Veneto.
Terms to know
Vino Rossa: red wine Vino Bianco: white wine Vino Rosato: rosĂŠ wine Vino Amabile: a medium sweet wine Vino Dolce: sweet wine Vino Secco: dry wine Vino Abboccato: semi-dry wine Vino Corposo: a full-bodied wine Vino Aromatico: aromatic wine Vino Fizzante: semi-sparkling wine
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti Wine is semi-sweet, lightly sparkling, low-alcohol wine from Piedmont (a region in northwestern Italy). As implied by its name, it is indeed made from moscato grapes grown in vinyards near the town of Asti. The classic Moscato d’Asti wine is characterized by elegant floral aromas and notes of peach, apricot and fresh grapes. It is one of Italy’s most famous and most popular wines. The best known producer of Moscato d’Asti include Castello del Poggio, Michele Chiarlo, Villa Rinaldi and Paolo Sarcco.
Chianti
Chianti, situated in the region of Tuscany (central Italy), is home to probably the best-known of all Italian wine districts, closely associated with red wine based on the Sangiovese grapes. A tasting of Chianti is characterized by red and black cherry characters, along with savory notes, wild herbs and spice, supported by racy acidity and well-structured tannins. Chainti’s winemaking zone is located between the cities of Florence and Siena, and stretches into these provinces plus Prato, Arezzo, Pistoia and Pisa. Its vinyards yield more than any other Italian wine producers, producing 20 million gallons per year.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella is intensely flavored dry red wine from dried passito grapes. It is made in the Veneto region (northeastern Italy), and is one of the region’s most prestigious red wines. The amarone style developed as Veneto’s winemakers searched for a way to increase the body, complexity and alcohol content of their wines. As demonstrated by modern-day reds (such as Valpolicella and Garda), wines made from locally grown Covina, Corvinone, and Rondinella can sometimes be too light to give satisfaction. These three mainstays of the Valpolicella vineyard are not renowned for their inherent depth, a deficiency compounded by the cool growing conditions of western Veneto. In order to concentrate the natural sugars and aromatics in Valpolicella wines, local producers began drying their grapes after harvest, to remove water from the berries wile retaining sweetness and flavor.
Prosecco
Prosecco is sparkling wite wine from north-eastern Italy, specifically the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine regions. It is also the informal name for the grape variety used to make these wines, which is now known officially as Glera. Since 2009, the name ‘Prosecco’ has been regulated and protected under DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata: main tier of Italian wine classification, and covers almost every traditional Italian wine style. There are around 330 individual DOC titles, each with a set of laws governing its viticultural zone, permitted grap varieties and wine styles) law. This was done in response to planting of the Prosecco/Glerna grape variety in New World regions (especially in Australia). Legally establishing the use of the Glera name was designed to prevent varietal wines made outside northeast Italy being labled as Prosecco in the EU markets. Italian Prosecco was wonce a broad category of sweet fizz, bearing a strong resemblance to the low-quality Asti. It was seen to some degree as poor man’s champagne. It was used by wine educators to demonstrate the quality diffrence between sparkling wines made in the methode traditionelle and the those made by the Chamat method. As production and viticulture techniques improved, so did Prosecco. The bubbles began to get finer and more persistent, and the falvors and aromas developed as subtle complexity. The excessive sugar additions once used to cover up winemaking defects lessened and now Prosecco has become more than just a component of Bellini cocktails.
House Wine
It’s not made in house, what the hell?! We were shocked to find out too! However, you often get genuine diamonds in the rough. You see, Italian house wines tend to be locally grown and produced. They vary widely depending on region, year, weather, and even restaurant. One of the most magical experiences is finding a little hole-in-the wall whose house wine is knock-your-socks-off good. It’s most defiantly made for the everyday wine drinker and not someone with a pallets of a wine connoisseur. Interestingly enough, house wines are restricted by very few rules and regulations. Vino Roma, a tour group of sommeliers that helps with wine tasting all around Italy says that house wines are “very nondescript, low alcohol and high acidity wines that someone with a stronger palate won’t enjoy”. When you see house wine on the menu, you can usually order in a liter or half liter, and it’s always a good bang for your buck. We suggest if you’re just interested in a cheap drink, try the house wine!
Trattoria Il Tettarello Via dei Capocci, 4, 00184 Roma RM
€€ - Restaurant
except on sundays, it’s only open for dinner but, we for one love the pizza. It comes out hot and fast and there are 15 options to choose from. It’s decorated in somewhat of a kitchy feel with plaid table cloths and fake grapes around the walls but instead of a bar, they showcase all their wine on the menu.
House wine € 10,00 a leter
Red The first time drinking the house wine, we had come from a bar and we were feelin’ good. The wine taisted fresh and was a perfect pair for both our diavola and bufala pizzas. However, the second time around, the wine taisted like it had been sitting for a while but, who in their right mind wastes wine?! White Despite the deciving beauty of the carafe, this wine is a terrible mistake. If you feel like sipping on some battery acid, this is the wine for you. This white wine was not enjouable, and I’m a big white wine girl. With each sip, the taiste got worse and worse but as mentioned before, why waste wine. Thinking that the pizza would make it better, we gave it a chance but even the pizza couldn’t mask the awful taiste. It’s not a good wine on its own, let alone with food.
Blackmarket Hall 31 Via dè Ciacaloni, 00184 Roma RM
€€ - Cocktail Bar
Black Market Hall is a must in Monti. There is four rooms and an outside patio were you and your friends can hang out and get a drink. The overall vibe reminds me of a classy speakeasy. They even have a live musicians come in and play jazz which perfectly fits the atmosphere. This is one of my friends and I’s favorite place to get apertivo, strong cocktails and listen to live music. For those who want to be transported back in time to the roaring 20’s, this is the spot for you. As you enter Blackmarket Hall, it first seems like there isn’t much room for you to sit but, once you step downstails, you cross over into a totally different era. The design of the place is reminicent of a hotel, the style harkens back to Kubrick’s “overlook Hotel” in The Shining, with dim lighting, hardwood surfaces, and classic furnishings. Each weekend there is a chance to enjoy live music entertainment where a host of different artists come enter the hall to whisk you away on a soulful night of musial discovery.
Gewürztraminer Calice € 6,00
The Gewürztraminer Calic is an admirably Nobel grape that contains a semi-sweet taste. This white wine has an extremely unlikable and hard to pronounce but, do not let that discourage you from ordering it. To put it this way, the Gewürztraminer is like the grownup version of moscato. While it is similar to moscato, they differ in the sense that Gewürztraminer has a high alcohol content and lower acidity making it harder to slurp down. If you are a fan of middle eastern cuisine than this would be the perfect drink to pair it with or, you can do what I did and casually sip on it in Italy like the grown up you are.
Espresso Martini € 10,00
Although this is a fun twist on a classic Italian drink, it is in fact not invented in Italy. However, we thought it would be fun addition to our list of cocktails to try while in Italy since espresso is from Italy. It tastes like Starbucks smells, this cocktail is a fun twist on an Italian classic morning drink. The taste of espresso takes over the entire drink. Boujee version of a red bull vodka. After just one, you’ll be as hyper as a 7 year old on a sugar high. This cocktail is prepared with 1 part vodka, 1 part Kahlua and 1 part espresso and usually top with coffee beans as a garnish. This is more of a fun drink to try. Not a drink I would see myself having more than one. But that’s the thing, Italian drinking culture is less is more.
Rossopomodoro Calle Larga S. Marco, 404, 30124 Venezia VE
â‚Źâ‚Ź - Restaurant
As a contrast to the local restaurants we’ve been to this had more of a chain vibe. Everything seemed to be perfect and had no originality. It gave off a generic aesthetic with bright white wooden tables and chairs, simple lighting, and overall basic modern decorations. We were hungry and just needed something to eat so this was the first place that came to mind. The food is fantastic and so is the service, definitely will go again.
Fragolella
€ 5,00 Thank goodness it’s only five percent alchohol because this stuff goes down like juice. Served over ice, this drink is more than refreshing. If you want a break from wine but still want the fun buzz, this is the perfect drink for you. The strawberry in the drink really comes out, it’s like drinking a jolly rancher. Needless to say, if you enjoy strawberrys and iced drinks, this is a good subsitute to wine!
Peschella
€ 5,00 Do you want to feel girly, frilly, furity, and fun?! Get this peach flavored wine to give your taste buds a breath of fresh air. This wine might as well be considered a juice because the concept of wine is absent. This is great to drink if you need a break from the high end bottles of wine. It is heaven in a glass and would reconment it to anyone!
Analemma Via Leonina, 77, 00184 Roma RM
€€ - Espresso Bar
With its collection of funky furniture and unexpected spaces, this arty venue in Rome’s Monti district has a laidback, bohemian vibe. The walls are showcase local artists and pop culture icons. It is a colorful space great for groups of people. Unlike most places in Rome, Analemma makes drinking with a group of six people easy! The drinks menue, ranging from tea to cocktails and ofering coffee and pastries, lunch and a tasty buffet for apertivo every evening from 19:0021:00. Analemma also has a buffet brunch on the weekends from midday util 16:00.
Home Vodka Sour € 10,00
This isn’t what we would call a traditional vodka sour, you can see that just from the picture but damn was it taisty! The ingredients include vodka, lime juice, liquid sugar and red wine and let us tell you, this stuff goes down better than yellow lemonaid from a sidewalk sale when it’s 100 degrees outside. It’s the perfect balance of sweet with a small bit of alchohol. ** If you order this during apertivo time, you can spend an extra two euros and have access to the buffett.** -Mira
The Home Vodka Sour is a great experimental drink with its veriety of ingriedents. The dirnk is very smooth and goes down easily despite the strong vodka smell. the presetation is beautiful with the red wine sitting perfecty above the other ingridents. at first glance, drinking it seems like a crime because of how pretty it is. This is perfect to sip on when having a night out with friends. - Jana
Libreria Cafe Bohemien Via degli Zingari, 36, 00184 Rome RM
â‚Źâ‚Ź - Bar
The Library is a spot you must hit while in Rome. Our group nearly spent every night there, we might as well have moved in. It is this small bar off a quiet street in Monti. Right when you walk in you are faced with a cluster of mismatch chairs and couches that look like they could be from your grandmothers house. The vibe is young and artsy. It is a great place to pop open a bottle of Presseco, unwind, and enjoy time with your friends. We certainly did!
Perla di Vitigno € 20,00 for a bottle € 6,00 for a glass
Need a good drink to get the gossip going on during girls night? Prosecco is the perfect Italian made wine to sip on with the ladies. It’s bubbly, it’s tasty and it has the perfect amount of sweet! Bottles come as cheap as 20 euros but if you don’t want to get too crazy, a glass is usually between 5 and 6 euros. All Prosecco goes well with pretty much every food and is defiantly a group favorite! - Jana
The first time we headed to the Library, we went with a group of classmates and they were wickidy overwhelmed. Most of us got a glass of Prosecco to cheers our new adventures in Rome. We didn’t realize that a bottle would be so managable until an Irish couple explained that it was only 20 euros. Since that night, the Library has become a group favorite. The four of us have spent most nights at the Library sharing a bottle and too many laughs. If you want an easy going place with a hipster atmosphere and a great bottle of Prosecco, head over to the Library, I know you’ll fall in love instantly. - Mira
Typically I drank this wine for special occasions. Like Christmas dinner or New Years Eve. It’s light refreshing and gets me feeling loose. However, here in Rome I drank it nearly every single night. It became mine and my friends go to drink and a staple in this journy we shared. It’s cute actually, from all of the bottles of Presseco we have drank together throughout this trip (all in the name of research for this project) we each kept a cork from the bottle as a little souvenir and reminder of our great time together. So Presseco will hold a specail place in my heart now because of Rome and the great freindships I’ve made because of it on this trip. - Maddy
TheLibrary’s Prosecco offers a great way to end a days worth of work with some friends over a refreshing sparkling white wine. Enough for all, the price and taste go unmatched at this fantastic neighborhood bar. - Jake
Bar Monti Via Urbana, 39, 00184 Roma RM
€€ - Espresso Bar
Bar Monti is a local bar in, you guessed it, Monti. This bar is a great place for tourists and locals to unwind from the day and get apertivo. Bar Monti was a few blocks away from our hotel so we visited this bar a few times. They serve great drinks, food, and there is a cool hipster atmosphere insdie. If you want something a little different, on friday and saturday night, Bar Monti hosts live Jazz night. We suggest reserving a table because the space usually fills up fast because it is a rather small indoor space. If it is a nice day outside, go sit on their patio, they’re more than happy to put extra heaters on and it’s just nice to be able to sit outside in November and December.
Hugo € 6,00
The Hugo is a type of Spritz. Spritz is a very popular aperitif in Italy. I didn’t know much about a spritz at the time however it screamed girly cocktail to me and felt I should give it a try. This drink first caught my eye because of the almighty Prosecco. Other ingridents in the drink include elderberry syrup, sparkling water and mint. This drink was very refreshing and flavorful. The prosecco is crisp and refreshing, which pairs well with the Granny Smith garnish and mint. This drink would be perfect in the summer time.
Negroni € 8,00
Negroni is a classic drink in Italy that you will find on almost every single menu. This was created in Florence when somone asked a bartender to make something stronger than an americano. Anthony Bourdain says that Negronis will “hit you like a freight train after four or five.” After just one, I could already tell it was going to be a long night. The drink is made with one part red vermouth, one part gin, and one part bitters which is traditionally campari. The red vermouth and campari is responsible for the rich red color of the drink. The presentation of the drink is very simple and is typically garnished with an orange peel or orange slice. It is both floral and bitter. The fruit sweetness does not come through as much as expected however, someone that perfers gin will be pretty please with this drink, considering it’s not over barrenly sweet.
Ciao
baby