When you think of Venice you think of gondolas gliding along the canals, Piazza San Marco and the delicious Italian food. But there’s another symbol of this city that has captured the hearts and taste buds of the world: the Bellini Venice drink, with peach puree and prosecco.
This bubbly cocktail with its pink colour is the essence of Venice – elegant, refreshing and oh so charming.
Bellini Venice drink: Cocktail Story
The story of the Bellini cocktail is as rich as the city itself. In the heart of Venice, on Calle Vallaresso just a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco lies the legendary Harry’s Bar. Founded in 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani this bar is a national monument, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Affairs for its cultural importance.
Over the years Harry’s Bar has welcomed many famous guests, Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles to name a few. But among all the many contributions to the world of cocktails it’s the creation of the Bellini that really stands out.
The Bellini cocktail was created in the summer of 1948 by Cipriani himself. He was inspired by the colours of the Venetian Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini and wanted to create a drink that was summer in Venice.
He mixed the juice of small white peaches with prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine. The result was a drink that was as pretty as it was tasty – a match made in heaven.
How to make the Bellini Venice drink
To make the perfect Bellini Venice drink attention to detail is everything. It starts with choosing the best white peaches, small and fragrant. These peaches are then peeled and puréed to a smooth, silky texture that is crucial to the drink.
Some recipes add a spoonful of sugar or a squeeze of lemon to balance the sweetness of the fruit but purists say the peaches should be the only star.
In a small saucepan the peach purée is warmed gently to bring out the natural sweetness, then cooled to room temperature. The purée is then mixed with prosecco or champagne.
Here the key is to stir gently – too much agitation will kill the bubbles and the drink will be flat and lifeless. A Bellini is not just a cocktail, it’s a celebration of the perfect match between fruit and wine.
At Harry’s Bar in Venice where the Bellini was created the original recipe is still a secret. The bar staff know that the key to a great Bellini is the quality of the ingredients and the care in which it’s prepared. Today the Bellini is served all year round at Harry’s Bar so you can taste summer whenever you visit Venice.
Bellini Venice drink: A sip of history
The popularity of the Bellini Venice drink has spread far beyond Harry’s Bar. Today it’s enjoyed in bars and restaurants all over the world but there’s something special about sipping a Bellini in Venice where it all started. Whether you’re sitting at a café overlooking the Grand Canal or enjoying a lazy afternoon in a hidden courtyard the Bellini is the perfect companion to any Venetian adventure.
The Bellini Venice drink is more than a cocktail; it’s a symbol of the city’s history and its timelessness. It’s a drink that has lasted the centuries just like the city itself.
As you sip you can almost hear the echoes of history – Hemingway’s laughter, Chaplin’s quiet thoughts, the clinking of glasses at Harry’s Bar. The Bellini is a drink that puts the magic of Venice in a glass and tells you to slow down, savour the moment and enjoy life.
So next time you’re in Venice make sure to have a Bellini Venice drink. Let the peach and prosecco transport you back to when the world’s most famous artists, writers and filmmakers used to gather at Harry’s Bar to enjoy this masterpiece. After all no visit to Venice would be complete without a Bellini.
Bellini Venice drink by Bar Do Draghi
So the Bellini Venice drink is not just a cocktail; it’s an experience, a taste of Venice’s history and culture.
From Venice to the world the Bellini is a symbol of the city’s eternal charm.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first timer a sip of this classic drink will leave you with memories as sweet and bubbly as the Bellini itself.