Italian drinks
What do Italians usually drink?
Italian drinks: mixed alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks are commonly found in Italian bars and they are a habit for most Italians.
Aperitif Drinks
Italian aperitif drinks 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.
Drinks don't have to be alcoholic There are many tasty options containing no alcohol at all, especially colored non-sweet ones.
Click here to learn how to prepare a Martini, a Negroni or a Bellini drink
Wine
I would say that the second most popular beverage consumed by Italians is wine . Italian wine is greatly appreciated worldwide and has recently been winning valuable prizes.
Wine deserves much more attention. Click here to continue talking about Italian wine.
Beer
We cannot ignore the fact that beer has become more and more popular in Italy. After wine, it's the beverage most consumed locally.
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.
Habits & liquors
There's another Italian "habit" with regard to beverages. To have an 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. (click here to find out how to make limoncello)
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.
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.
These may be many reasons, but advertising encourages millions of Italians to buy bottled water.
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.
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