Today is my blog’s ten year anniversary. I am happy to be a lifestyle blogger and the italiagal. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. I hope you will stay tuned as there is more to come!

Yesterday, August 15th, was an Italian holiday called Ferragosto. Italian tend to take off work and go on a trip. And, of course, celebrate with food, usually at a picnic. I actually took a vacation day off from work to have a three-day weekend. Due to the pandemic, I stayed at home, but marked the occasion by sipping a classic Venetian cocktail, the Spritz or Aperol Spritz. If you see a vivid orange alcoholic beverage in a vacation photo in Italy, it is likely a Spritz. I remember my friend Luigi ordering me my first one at a sidewalk cafe in Venice in 2005. I also remember having one at a bar during my last trip to Italy in 2011. I have even enjoyed this cocktail in Philadelphia.

Spritz

This cocktail is refreshing, so I recommend it in the summertime. However, it does have a bit of a bitter taste, but is said “to open the stomach” at aperitivo prior to a meal. I paired the first half of my drink with some hard pretzels. I would likely have potato chips in Italy. Something salty. I finished the second half of my beverage with my pepperoni pizza dinner.

It is so easy to make at home! You pour three ingredients over ice directly into a glass, skipping a cocktail shaker. Then, garnish it. Orange slices are popular, but I feel that a green olive or two is more Italian. I share the recipe below.

Spritz Ingredients