Italian Drinks

What an average Italian drinks usually?

Italian drinks: mixed alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks are a habit for most Italians. Italian digestive drinks are a pleasant tradition in Italy. Italian drinks are so colourful, so inviting. Specially those drunk as a cocktail.

Cocktails

Italian cocktails have appealed to me since my first visit to Italy. The pleasant habit of going to a bar to have something to drink while socializing is typical of all Italians.

Italian drinks don't have to be alcoholic There are many tasty options containing no alcohol at all, especially coloured non-sweet ones. It is a strong habit Italians love to keep alive. I may add that it is a very pleasant habit.

You can easily see lots of people around the bars before lunch and dinner. It is also an occasion to meet friends and relax for a while. Personally I love the tastes and looks of Italian drinks served as aperitifs, so as the variety you can choose from.

Click here to learn how to find out Italian alcoholic mixed drinks recipes.

Wine

I would say that the second most popular beverage an Italian drinks mostly is wine. An Italian wine is greatly appreciated worldwide and has recently been winning valuable prizes.

Wine is probably the healthiest alcoholic beverage as a glass of red wine a day can enhance your vascular system. The fact is that you should drink a glass a day with your main meal, not 2 or 3 while having dinner with friends :-)

Wine is also very good regarding calories and can be easily included even in a low calorie diet, giving that satisfaction we aim so much while dieting (click here to find out about calories in red wine.)

Often you will find local wines served in Italian restaurants. They are usually wines produced by local farmers and sold to restaurants in the near area.

Wine is often served as a drink in apperitif hours. Often Italian people drinks a prosecco as aperitif, so as a fresh white wine.

Beer & Aperitifs

We cannot ignore the fact that beer has become more and more popular in Italy. After wine, it's the beverage most consumed locally. An average Italian drinks more beer than any other drink - except wine, of course ;-)

When I came to live in Italy, 25 years ago, people used to drink Martini, whisky and other alcoholic drinks. Now beer has become more popular as it is consumed nearly every day by most people. There are some very good Italian beer brands, such as Peroni, for example.

Beer has gained an important position amongst other Italian drinks, and, especially during Summertime, is probably the most popular beverage amongst all people.

Habits & liquors

Italian drinks used as digestives are a "habit" Italians have regard to beverages.

The alcoholic drink after a meal is known as ammazza-caffè which means "kill coffee", as it is served after coffee and is supposed to help the digestive process. One of the most common is the Limoncello liquor.

When having lunch at an Italian restaurant, often at the end, after the coffee, they will take three or four bottles to your table. They are usually grappa, limoncello, amaro and Sambuca. These are all alcoholic Italian liqueurs that are supposed to help your digestion.

Water

In Italy water is considered potable everywhere, but in many small and big cities people just don't drink it, because it contains too much chlorine or is too chalky. Italian people has largely adopted the habit to drink mineral bottled water. If you visit Italy and happen to be in front of a supermarket, you'll see how many people come out with their packs of bottled water.

Some bottled waters have become famous abroad, such as San Pellegrino mineral water. Roma has very good water, which flows from fountains and from taps, but if you, as a tourist; don't know that, the waiter will bring you the Roman bottled water - Ferrarelle. It's a little sparkling, but if you say it to the waiter, he'll promptly answer: "It's natural!" It only means that it has no added carbon dioxide.

By the way, Italian law states that if you ask for a glass of water and have water from the tap, you cannot be charged.

Maybe because people don't know that Italian water is good to drink, or maybe because the bars want to sell a product, the fact is, that if you do not specify that you want only a glass of water from the tap, they will give you a glass of mineral water, for which you'll have to pay.

Aside you can see the Learning Fountain, in Rome, close to La Sapienza University and State Archives. Note the books intarsed and the water that comes from them, as you may drink the wisdom from this fountain.

An Italian drinks Italian bottled water suffering the power of advertising that encourages millions of Italians to buy it, even having potable water free of charge.

It is always wise to assure yourself before drinking from a tap. For example, in ferry boats and trains, the water is quite never potable.

So, drink and enjoy Roman's fountains, but be careful when you find yourself in a different situation, in different and unknown places. In this case, it is safer to drink bottled water.

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