Italian Sparklers Make Great Cocktails Too

Italian sparklers, Frizzante o Spumante, like Lambrusco, Prosecco, and so many others are great for hot summer sipping but also make cocktails too.

Here are some I served at a recent party.

The Wine: Italian Frizzante o Spumante in Cocktails

The Food: Lots of delicious Italian and Middle Eastern small bites

The Place: Salone Rive, Montclair, Memorial Day

Salone Rive is what we call our outdoor living room which is open from the first warm day in April deep into the fall.

For parties I setup my outdoor bar and the fun begins.

I serve cocktails like these:

Italian Americano, from La Bottega NYC

Lambrusco, Campari, Dolin Rouge Vermouth, From La Bottega NYC

Chill the ingredients well.

Pour in a cocktail shaker or pitcher 2 parts Lambrusco, 1 Part dolin, 1/2 part Campari. stir gently, serve over ice or straight up.

I accented with Urban Moonshine Citrus Bitters

Giorno Celebrazione, my own recipe

Cavicchioli 1928 Malvasia Spumante Demi Sec,Cardamaro Amaro, New Amsterdam Gin, Dutch Spirits Boom Town Bitters.

I chill all the ingredients for an hour in the freezer.

In a cocktail shaker over good cold ice 2 parts Cavicchioli 1928 Malvasia Spumante Demi Sec, 1 part gin 1 part Cardamaro Amaro, stir gently, serve over big ice rocks, one drop Dutch Spirits Boom Town Bitters.

Giorno Memoriale, my own recipe Cavicchioli 1928 Malvasia Spumante, Contratto Vermouth Bianco, Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters.

In a cocktail shaker over good cold ice 2 parts Cavicchioli 1928 Malvasia Spumante Demi Sec, 1 part Contratto Vermouth Bianco, stir gently, serve over big ice rocks, a quick dash of Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters

Served in our beautiful garden setting, hope to see you here this summer.