Your New Summer Cocktail: The Collinzano
July 11, 2011 
Doesn't this look refreshing? While we were in Chicago for our son's graduation last month, we ate at an Italian restaurant which served a cocktail that I had never heard of. I was curious because it contained Aperol, the Italian liquor that I wrote about previously. This cocktail is delicious and just right for an evening on the patio!
The Collinzano
For a printable recipe, click here
makes two drinks
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 3 ounces Gin
- Club Soda
- lemon or limes for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Add lemon juice, lime juice, Aperol and Gin. Shake. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice. Add a generous splash of club soda. Garnish with lemon or lime.
tip: make sure the lemons and limes are room temperature so they are easier to squeeze.
Read about the Italian liquor Aperol here
Reader Comments (24)
I'm in!
Mmmmmm.....
You and I have a lot of confluences.That's all I'm saying. I was at my daughter's wedding earlier this year in DC. At the rehearsal luncheon, my eldest daughter ordered a delicious drink that had, you guessed it, Aperol in it! To remind you, we also like Carol Fields, and I forget how many other things. I would suggest we were separated at birth, but I must be about 20+ years older than you! Perhaps we should write a cookbook together?
Hi, I was wondering what restaurant you went to in Chicago....
From The Italian Dish:
Hey Joe: Gee, maybe my twin brother is not really my twin brother?? Hmmm . . .
Sherry: The restaurant was Anteprima. We really liked it.
Ooh! So excited for another way to use Aperol. We drink spritz about every other day during the summer, but it's tough when we don't have prosecco on hand. This looks wonderful!
Can't wait to run down to the local liquor store to see if they carry this...I LOVE anything orange and the other citrus flavors in this drink are making me drool! Thank you for a refreshing and beautiful post...just the right thing for the blazing temperatures we are having here in the midwest.
It looks super refreshing!
Ah I didn't even know you could get Aperol in the states. I was never really a big fan of the Aperol Spritz (Campari fan here), but this drink does look rather refreshing.
Definitely refreshing! I love the color of this drink and beautiful photos! I love the mixed use of lime and lemon too!
This looks so good and so refreshing! I have Aperol from another cocktail so I will try this this weekend!
Sure does look awesome, refreshing.
We love Aperol and this looks like a great way to enjoy it. Can't wait to try it tonight.
Question: How many drinks does this make? 3 ounces of Aperol and 1 ounce of gin equals half a cup of liquor. Seems like a lot of liquor for one drink but maybe a little shy for two.
From The Italian Dish:
Tag: Oh, so sorry! I corrected the recipe to include that it makes about two drinks. Thanks for asking!
Wow, i think i like this even more than a Pirlo! AMAZING way to start a long weekend! Thanks!!
Just bought a bottle this weekend because of your post! It was a little tricky to find though...only available in a couple of places, and each store only had one bottle. I really liked it but may try to make some simple syrup for next time as I found I was wanting just a little touch of sweet in there too. It is a very refreshing taste, so I can see why it is so popular in Italy where it is hot (and so much appreciated here in the Midwest where the heat is so unbearable right now). Thanks for the inspiration!
I really, really want to eat at your house after looking through this blog. (Just discovered it.)
The pictures and food captions are mouthwatering, even after I've eaten and am still full from dinner.
I may have to try making my own pasta again, following your steps. None of the recipes I read in cookbooks said to let the pasta dry out a little before cutting it, so I wonder if that will make a difference!
Such a pretty drink!
What a refreshing cocktail for summer evenings. I like to introduce new drinks to house guests and this sounds perfect for cocktails on the dock. Thank you.
oh my! i am sooo happy to have come across your molto bella site. from the gorgeous pics to the delish recipes, it all reminds me how much i love being italian and love the culture!!
(not that i needed reminding!!)
Just checking back in to let you know I stand corrected. After making these a few more times, we (my husband and I) now actually prefer the drink per your recipe (sans sweet). It is so refreshing at the end of a hot day. I'm so glad you posted about it as I now have a new favorite drink!
I made these oer the weekend and they were a big hit. i love the tart bitter orange flavor!! my new favorite summer drink.
I posted your recipe on my blog!
www.inspireyourlifestyle.wordpress.com
This looks SO refreshing. I haven't had Aperol in a while but may have to indulge soon :)