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August 3 - August 10,2003 |
A Sip, Shake and Mix
Italian cocktails to cool you off and enjoy for summer
By Rita Simonetta
Originally Published: 2003-07-20
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Various types of cocktails for summer fun
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James Bond liked his shaken, not stirred, while Dean Martin drank his onstage in front of an adoring crowd.
The cocktail is a symbol of glamour and glitz. Decades ago, cocktails were a part of most social occasions and stars of Old Hollywood, like Humphrey Bogart, helped make cocktail drinking an art form. Films of the 30s, 40s and 50s were filled with the ubiquitous cocktail party scene, where charming and beautiful men and women sauntered around with a drink in hand. And in the 60s, The Rat Pack, led by Frank Sinatra, exemplified chic cool while enjoying a sip or two of their favourite cocktail.
The 70s and 80s weren't kind to the concoction, but cocktails have resurged in popularity again, alongside cigars and lounge bars. In HBO's popular show, Sex and the City, four New York women juggle love, sex and careers while enjoying a Cosmopolitan.
So while North America's love affair with the cocktail is a long and passionate one, there's controversy over how the great romance began.
One story suggests that the name originated during the Revolutionary War, when American soldiers made a reference to the liquor they drank being as "beautiful as cock's tails." Another story traces the origins to Colonial times, when a drink called "cock's ale" was served during cock fights. The drink was a combination of ale, raisins, and brown sugar.
Whatever the true origins, it's a fact that Italy has given the world its share of unforgettable drinks.
Arguably the king of them all is the Americano. First served in 1861, the drink is based on Campari, a popular Italian bitter, as well as soda water and Vermouth. Italians took note at how American tourists enjoyed the national cocktail and Italians paid them the dubious compliment.
The Caruso is an ode to famed Italian singer, Enrico Caruso. Dry gin, dry vermouth and cream of mint combine to create a refreshing drink that's perfect for these hot summer days and nights.
Music is the source of another famous Italian cocktail - the Puccini. 2 ounces of mandarin juice and 4 ounces of sparkling wine combine to create this delightful concoction. To make, squeeze a mandarin and pass its juice through a sieve. Pour into a flute, and just before serving, add sparkling wine.
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