The Italians got it so right when they created the aperitivo - taking happy hour to another level! As we move into the warmer season, more of us will be heading out onto the patio to enjoy a few pre-dinner tipples as the sun starts to dip below the rooftops. Add in another level of class by pairing your cocktails with some tasty morsels, like the gorgeous Savoursmiths Italian and Port crisps, found in our May Gin of the Month box! But what flavour match what cocktail?

Negroni and cheese

The bittersweet notes of a negroni are the perfect match for an Italian hard cheese, like Pecorino or Parmesan. Pair your next Italian aperitivo with Savoursmiths Italian Cheese and Port crisps to add in another level of flavour combination!

Ingredients:
25ml dry gin
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
Orange zest, to garnish

Method:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, stir your ingredients together until blended well. Strain into a short glass on the rocks, or ideally over a large sphere of ice, and garnish with a curl of orange zest.

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Gin & IT and oysters

The Gin & IT (gin and Italian vermouth) is a cocktail that combines a martini, a martinez and any other cocktail that uses the perfect pairing of gin and vermouth.

The sweet vermouth in the recipe, combined with the orange bitters needs something light and fresh to cut through the booze.

Oysters not only compliment the decadence of this cocktail, but the zinc in these delicious mouthfuls will cut straight through the thick boozy notes of the drink.

Ingredients:
35ml Gin
25ml Sweet Vermouth
A dash of orange bitters

Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe of martini glass and garnish with a twist of orange.

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G,L&T

What do you get when you add an "L" to your G&T? A Gin, Limoncello and Tonic! The Limoncello adds a sweet, syrupy zest to your usual tipple and will take you to the lemon groves of Sicily! Pair this with some juicy, salty Italian olives to balance out the sweetness of the Limoncello.

Ingredients:
35ml gin
25ml Limoncello
125ml crisp tonic water

Method:
Add gin to a tumble and top with crushed ice. Drizzle Limoncello on top and top up with tonic water.

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Italian gin fizz and charcuterie

A little like the G,L&T, but you replace the tonic with prosecco - because, why not?! Pair your boozy bubbles with a charcuterie of Italian meats - prosciutto, cured ham and some mini cornichons - prosecco is light, it pairs perfectly with the rich salty meats.

Ingredients:
35ml gin
25ml Limoncello
Chilled prosecco to up

Method:
Add gin and Limoncello to a chilled champagne flute or coupe and stir to combine. Top up with chilled prosecco.