Love In a Can, and Other Expressions of Italian-style Imbibing
photo taken by Leilani Vella at Museo di Novecento, Milano
Sipping Italian style while in lockdown, spontaneous musical interludes optional
Canned affection carries a resounding relevance during these times of isolation and bulk purchases. The Italians have a propensity for mending the challenges of human existence with humor, and even whimsy. Just as in the title of Filippo Marinetti’s collection of short stories translates, “Extract of Love – concentrated in the Void”, there is a playfulness to the drama.
As the world watched the vibrant spirit of Italians sharing music and dancing on balconies, some were inspired with hope while the more cynical rolled their eyes in preference to simmer in the sauce of their own discontent. Luckily, Italy offers something for every inclination, whether it be in drink or show. From wine, aperitivi and cocktails to opera, Neorealismo or comedy, there is a diversity to be discovered in Italian expressions.
As Fulvio Piccinino explains in his book, “La Miscoelazione Futurista”, the Italian Futurist mixologists’ philosophy was not to create a cocktail as the destination itself, but that the cocktail should transport the drinker into their desired destination. So, let’s take a trip to Italy! Crack open that 3 lb can of castelveltrano olives that was just delivered (I can’t be the only one), and indulge in the “dolce fare niente” - the sweetness of nothing - a perfect escape into imagination.
Here are a few pairings of Italian transportation into a drink and a show:
Pearls and Opera
Craving a fancy night out on the town? Well, put on your pearls, straighten that cravatta, and lift a glass with the classic Italian opera “La Traviata”.
Martini and Rossi Extra Dry Prosecco
Popping open a bottle of bubbly elicits feelings of celebration, and what a better way to go then a classic Prosecco from Martini and Rossi. This winemaker has been championing traditional approaches on their wineries since 1853, around the same time that Verdi’s operas came into prominence. A sip of light vivaciousness with a dry finish, it’s a proper pairing alongside the high-drama arias. The wine also won a gold medal in the 2019 NY International Wine Competition.
To pair with
La Traviata (Giuseppe Verdi, 1863)
One of the most recognizable operas, entertaining for the novice to the genre as well as the season ticket holder. It begins with a lavish party scene for the heroine, Violetta, celebrating her recovery from illness. Instead of a toast, the famous brindisi (or drinking song) is performed featuring the familiar chorus “Libiammo ne lieti calici” - let’s drink from the joyous cups.
bottle to go at Hunky Dory
Salty and Sultry
This is a slow sipper with an angsty edge of desires just out of reach. Cheers to moodiness!
Earthy and bitter with a nudge of sweetness, there’s a contrast of saltiness that lifts up a balancing richness, while the grapefruit twist awakens a tingling of excitement.
Build in an Old Fashioned glass
Add 2 oz Cynar (or other dark, bitter amaro such as Varnelli dell’Erborista, Meletti or Lucano)
1 large pinch of Salt
Stir in the glass, then add ice just above the liquid line, stir again
Express the zest of a grapefruit twist over the glass and drop inside
To pair with
La Dolce Vita (Dir. by Frederico Fellini, 1960)
This movie traverses the spectrum of emotions with enough colorful characters, beguiling scenes and beautiful people to make you forget the setting in black and white. While it comments on the displacement of familiar ways of life in post-war Europe, it expands across the complexities of a strange new reality of decadence accompanied by discontent.
The Postman’s Prose
frozen Mudslide to go at Macondray in San Francisco
Support your local bar and pick up a batch of bottled cocktails!
Did you know that Italians were making bottled cocktails in the 1930s? As the saying goes, all good things come from Italy. Ecco qua, bevande da portare!
Here are some bars offering drinks-to-go:
NYC – (some of the many options, check a local bar/restaurant near you!) Hunky Dory, Middle Branch, Patent Pending, Amor y Amargo, Leyenda, Piacere for pizza and wine.
Los Angeles – Hippo, Melrose Umbrella, Thunderbird, Petty Cash (for an El Tesoro Single Barrel tequila Old Fashioned kit)
Bay Area – Macondray, Elda, True Laurel, La Trattoria Siciliana for pasta and wine, Pacific Cocktail Haven, Mina Family Kitchen for a Japanese inspired Negroni kit with Suntory Toki whisky (orders@minafamilykitchen.com)
Highball kits in Seattle (add a splash of aperitivo for an Italian take!) - Tamari Bar, Taku, plus other fun cocktail kits from Navy Strength
Chicago – sign this petition to allow Chicago to provide cocktails-to-go
London – Bar Termini classic Negroni, Mr. Lyon’s Bonfire Old Fashioned
To pair with
Il Postino (Dir. by Michael Radford, 1994)
A story of love and anticipation; nothing is simple in Italian romance. This Oscar-winning dramedy was adapted from the novel “Ardiente Paciencia”, which translates as “Burning Patience”. The story follows an ordinary man, Mario, who finds his voice through a friendship with the poet Pablo Neruda. Languid days of gorgeous vistas on an Italian island please the senses while Mario navigates love, poetry, and politics.
photo by Leilani Vella
Aperitivi e Fiori
Here we can indulge the daydreams of Italian vacationing and hopeful possibilities nestled in the contentment of a simple existence. Spring is spritzing season, after all.
This aperitivo is only slightly sweet, but light enough as a prelude to the next course… or cocktail.
Build in a tall glass filled with ice
2 oz Cocchi Rosso Vermouth di Torino
2 oz soda water
2 oz prosecco
Garnish with an olive (or three)
To pair with
Bread and Tulips (Dir. by Silvio Soldini, 2001)
This comedy is a coming of age story about a woman who finds a second lease on life when a family vacation takes an unexpected turn. Flowers, idiosyncratic personalities, and an accordion accompany sarcasm and dark humor to balance this whimsical adventure of the heart.