Italy’s culinary prowess needs no introduction. From its wide selection of regional pasta dishes to its abundance of delicious cheeses, the country has a long and rich culinary history. Along with that, Italy is famed for its vineyards which produce some of the world’s most exquisite wines that perfectly complement an authentic Italian meal.
However, it is undeniable that Italian spirits have a hallowed place in the country’s culture and cuisine, arguably just as important as wine. Whether it is an apéritif like a negroni before your meal or a digestif like grappa after your meal, enjoying some Italian spirits can only enrich your dining experience.
Here are some drinks that are sure to raise your spirits the next time you dine at AQUA Forte.
Start your meal with an apéritif or cocktail and set the tone for the rest of the meal. Here are some of our personal favourite drinks.
A Campari Spritz is a classic Italian summer cocktail. Used as the base, this fragrant and flavourful liquor has a bright red hue, slightly bitter in taste with hints of rhubarb and berries for a floral bouquet. Traditionally made with soda water or tonic, we add a delicious mix of Prosecco to our Campari Spritz. Don’t forget to try our wonderful cocktail of Campari and Prosecco the next time you’re at AQUA Forte.
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Regardless of whether it’s shaken or stirred; one thing is for certain – you can never go wrong with a classic martini. There are two renditions of this cocktail, a gin martini or a vodka martini offered at AQUA Forte. The vermouth in the cocktail creates an exceptional dry martini that is crisp and elegant.
A Disaronno Sour is Italy’s version of a Whisky Sour. Disaronno is a type of Amaretto that has a lovely amber hue and a subtle sweetness. The liquor originates from Saronno in the Lombardy region, and legend states that it dates back to 1525! A Disaronno Sour is a refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances the bitterness of the fresh lemon juice with the sweet almond flavour of Disaronno.
Your authentic Italian meal would be incomplete without capping off the evening with a digestif. At AQUA Forte we have several homemade digestifs including our Berries Liquor, and our Chocolate and Chili Liquor. Here are some other digestifs you can enjoy:
Limoncello looks and tastes like sunshine in a bottle! Traditionally served ice cold, this digestif is particularly popular around the Amalfi Coast in areas such as Sorrento where lemons can be found in abundance. This liquor is perfect after your meal at AQUA Forte to keep you cool as you go for a stroll through Galle Fort.
Grappa is a fragrant Italian pomace brandy. This brandy is special as it is made by fermenting the pomace, solid remains of grapes, after the winemaking process. We offer four different types of Grappa, each has its own distinctive qualities and aroma.
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One of the most famous digestifs, sambuca is made by distilling Star Anise. You can get red, black and white sambuca, although the latter is the most common. Sambuca is generally served neat and is meant to be drunk after you’ve finished your coffee. In some instances, sambuca is also served with three coffee beans (which represent health, happiness and prosperity) and the shot is ignited to toast the coffee beans.
Apart from these quintessential Italian spirits, we also have an extensive collection of international liquors.
Our gin collection is certainly quite impressive. Not only do we serve our Homemade Gin, but we also have a large selection of gin which include Tanqueray Gin, Hendricks Gin and the Roku Japanese Gin. Enjoy a classic gin and tonic or a lovely martini with your meal.
If you’re not a gin enthusiast, you can always opt for another spirit of choice. Patron Tequila goes exceptionally well in a freshly made margarita or try a vodka-based espresso martini.
As always, if you rather prefer a fine glass of wine, browse through our extensive menu of premium Italian wines . From elegant sparkling wines to premium red, white, and dessert wines, we have a wine that will perfectly complement your meal. All our wines are sourced from the finest vineyards in Italy, including a collection of wines from one of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Do you want to know more about authentic Italian cuisine, best wine pairings and secret offers at AQUA Forte? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay up to-date!
Although restaurant dining isn’t a possibility just yet, we’re eagerly waiting until it’s safe to welcome you back to AQUA Forte. You can still enjoy our authentic Italian cuisine by ordering in – browse through our delivery menu which features some of our most popular dishes, uplift your spirits from the comforts of your own home!
We deliver 10km within Galle Fort. To order, call or WhatsApp us on +94 76 119 0532.
