Tag Archives: drink

Spritz O’Clock

There comes a time around 5-7PM when a little break is needed from life.

Elsa Bruno Italy

The sun begins to make its journey down, the heat from the day lets up, the stores begin to think about closing, and the only thing I need is a Spritz.

Not exactly a before-dinner drink, instead more of a late-afternoon drink, the Spritz is perfect for the transition from a long day to a leisurely evening. A relatively new invention (for Italy), the Spritz took the whole boot by storm, and is now ubiquitous in piazzas all over Italy in the early evening.

Joe Pinsker Italy

Unlike some USA style happy hours, the idea of a Spritz is not to get you buzzed. Aperol is only 11% alcohol, and is an appetite stimulant. Though your body still tastes alcohol, this cocktail is undeniably light.

The bitter, zesty taste of a Spritz always signals to my taste buds that the work for the day is essentially over. With a glass full of orange liquid, you can nestle into your chair on the piazza, take a deep breath, and appreciate a mental pause in the day.

It’s Spritz o Clock in Italy.

IMG_2738

 

Ci Vediamo!

–Elsa at Via Umbria

Italian-style Happy Hour Read more

There comes a time around 5-7PM when a little break is needed from life. The sun begins to make its journey down, the ...

Aperitivo Time – Whisky Spritz and Truffled Zucchini Bruschetta

Spritz Aperol

The classic Aperol spritz is one of our go-to drinks before dinner. In Italy, around 5 PM, the piazzas and patios fill up with beautiful orange colored glasses full of the refreshing and palate-exciting cocktail.

We decided to add a bit of whisky, rosemary from the garden, and wildflower honey syrup (which the taste-testers agreed was the key to binding all of the flavors together) for this smashing take on the classic.

Whiskey Aperol Rosemary Honey Prosecco

This updated version just might be our new go-to before dinner. As stimulating as the original Spritz, but with more depth of flavor, it is a drink we will reach for again soon.

But your perfect aperitivo drink needs some food, of course! The abundance of zucchini has us slicing some very thin pieces, then drizzling them with olive oil and and pinch of truffle salt. A three minute luxury well-deserved at the end of a long workday. We’re taking some olives and artichokes to nibble on as well, and heading outside to enjoy the long hours of summer.

Here’s how to recreate the Whisky Spritz and our Truffled Zucchini Bruschetta.

Aperol Spritz with Rosemary

Spritz:

Bourbon whiskey

Aperol

Prosecco

Wildflower honey

Rosemary and Grapefruit for garnish

Via Umbria Aperol Spritz IMG_1621 IMG_1631 IMG_1638

For the Drink:
Place 3 long sprigs of fresh rosemary, and ice, in a glass.

Pour one part whisky and two parts Aperol into the glass, stir.

Take 1 tablespoon of highly flavored wildflower honey, drizzle into a canning jar. Heat water until almost boiling, and pour a bit into the glass.  Mix well until you have a syrup.

Pour the honey syrup into the glass and stir.

Top with prosecco, garnish with a grapefruit slice. Enjoy!

 

For the Antipasto:

Zucchini Bruschetta IMG_1405

Slice your bread thinly, and your zucchini even more thinly. Drizzle high-quality olive oil over the zucchini (we used Mancino for its slightly spicy flavor) and top with a generous sprinkle of truffle salt.

Enjoy with marinated artichokes and olives.

Aperitivo Italian Style

Gather your ingredients for the perfect aperitivo from Emporio now, and elevate your evening.

Ci Vediamo!

—Via Umbria

 

 

 

 

 

The classic Aperol spritz is one of our go-to drinks before dinner. In Italy, around 5 PM, the piazzas and patios fill ...