Top 10 Best Italian Grappa Cocktails

1. Grappino

Like sambuca, grappa is intrinsically linked to the post-meal coffee. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the best grappa cocktails work with this notable accord.

This particular cocktail that we discovered in Jamie Magazine combines the nuttiness of amaretto, espresso, nutmeg, and soya cream to produce a gourmand experience. You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 20 ml (⅔ Oz) Grappa
• 15 ml (0.5 Oz) Amaretto
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Espresso
• 20 ml (0.7 Oz) Soja Cream
• Grated Nutmeg

First, shake the grappa, amaretto, and espresso over ice and strain into either a glass or double espresso cup. Afterwards, slowly pour the soja cream over it. Alternatively, you can use frothed milk or whipped cream but soja cream arguably goes well with the nutmeg and amaretto.

Finally, garnish the top with a few gratings of nutmeg.

Source: Jamie Oliver

2. Sarparita

The Sarparita is Poli’s twist on the classic Margarita cocktail, which places an emphasis on grappa instead of tequila. In fact, we even prefer this version to the original! It’ll require the following ingredients:

• 50 ml (1¾ Oz) Poli Sarpa Grappa
• 20 ml (⅔ Oz) Fresh Lime Juice
• 20 ml (⅔ Oz) Triple Sec
• 2 Barspoons Sugar Syrup
• 2 Barspoons UvaViva Rossa or grape schnaps or eau-de-vie
• Salt
• Orange Peel

Ideally, the Sarparita calls for a slightly aged grappa like Sarpa Oro di Poli. However, a grappa bianca will do in a pinch. Start by rimming the edge of a coupe glass with salt and then shake the ingredients over ice. Afterwards, strain it into the glass and add the orange peel to garnish.

Source: Poli Grappa

3. Rosina Ferrario No. 203

The Rosina Ferrario No. 203 was named after the first Italian woman who obtained a pilot’s licence as well as her licence number. It was recently created by Joerg Meyer for the Sap Bar in Paris. The ingredients are as follows:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz)  Nonino Vigneti Moscato
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Maraschino Liqueur
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Crème de Violette
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lemon Juice
• Albumen Violet

Simply shake all of the ingredients over ice and strain in a cocktail glass. As you can see in the image above, we didn’t have a violet on hand but it is the preferred garnish.

Source: Grappa Nonino

4. Grappa Tonic

Grappa makes for a refreshing and fruity alternative ingredient for a classic Gin & Tonic. We’re particularly fond of this variation, especially in the summer. Its ingredients are simple and you will only need:

• 30 ml (1 Oz) Grappa Bianca
• 125 ml (4½ Oz) Tonic Water
• Lime or Lemon Wedges

Simply add the ingredients into a tumbler filled with ice. Afterwards, squeeze the juice from a wedge and then stir before adding a second wedge for garnish.

5. Sicily Cocktail

Nonino combines the essences of Sicily to produce this refreshing cocktail that is simply perfect for a hot summer’s day. Although best enjoyed with oranges, we opted for limes for added zest. However, if you prefer a sweeter, soothing option, oranges are preferred. It consists of the following ingredients:

• 40 ml (1⅓ Oz) Grappa Bianca
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lemon Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Limoncello
• 60 ml (2 Oz) Ginger Beer
• 20 ml (⅔ Oz) 1883 Routin Blood Orange Syrup
• Basil Leaves
• Citrus Wedge

Start by chopping the basil leaves into a shaker. Afterwards, add all of the ingredients except for the ginger beer in and shake over crushed ice. Strain the ingredients into a tumbler and top up with the ginger beer before garnishing with fresh basil leaves and a wedge of citrus fruit.

Nonino suggests using its Grappa Fragolino, which has a fruity aroma. However, other grappa bianca should be fine too if you can’t find it.

Source: Grappa Nonino

6. Grappa Spritz

This enjoyable and well-garnished cocktail uses grappa to produce a cocktail that pays homage to its native country’s sambuca. If you’re dreaming of the Italian countryside, this is a pleasant one to enjoy when stuck at home!

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Grappa Bianca
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Lime Juice
• 7 ml (¼ Oz) St-Germain
• Rosemary Spring
• Star Anise Pod
• Citrus Wheel
• Salt

Start by rimming the edge of a tumbler with salt while using some lemon juice so it sticks and fill with crushed ice. Afterwards, add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake them and strain into the tumbler before adding the spring of rosemary, anise pod, and citrus wheel as garnish.

7. Chamomile Grappa Sour

A soothing cocktail to help you kick back and relax, this grappa cocktail combines honey and chamomile to produce a therapeutic refreshment. We recommend using Marolo’s Chamomile grappa liqueur linked below.

However, you can use a grappa bianca if necessary and combine it with the flowers beforehand and leave it to soak. Otherwise, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 60 ml (2 Oz) Marolo Camomile Grappa
• 1 Teaspoon Wildflower Honey
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Lemon Juice
• 1 Egg White
• Dried Chamomile Flowers

First of all, make sure that your egg is very fresh if you’re going to use it in this cocktail as it’ll be consumed raw. Either check the date or put it in a glass of water. If it doesn’t float, it’s absolutely fine to use.

Separate the egg white and add to a cocktail shaker with the grappa and lemon juice. Meanwhile, mix the honey with 15 ml (½ Oz) warm water to melt it. Once it has dissolved, add it to the shaker and the ingredients.

Afterwards, shake it vigorously once before then adding ice and shaking it again. Once the outside feels cold, continue shaking for another 10 seconds.

Finally, strain it into a chilled coupe glass and add the dried chamomile flowers as garnish.

8. Christmas Prosecco

A great option for both the festive season and summer too, the Christmas Prosecco is a refreshing appetizer to enjoy in a tall flute glass. You can use Prosecco if you like it sweet. Alternatively, rosé champagne is an excellent dry choice too:

• 140 ml (5 Oz) Sparkling Wine
• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Grappa di Prosecco
• Fresh Berries

First, add the grappa to a chilled champagne flute and then drop a few berries to infuse for a few seconds. Cherries or raspberries are the best choices for this cocktail. Afterwards, top it up with the sparkling wine to taste.

9. Grappa Sorbet

No ice is needed in this creamy and refreshing summer drink! This Nardini cocktail was created by Nico Colic at the Hotel Revington & Son Bar in Zurich and is another prosecco option. The ingredients are as follows:

• 140 ml (5 Oz) Sparkling Wine
• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Grappa di Prosecco
• 1 Scoop Fruit Sorbet (preferably peach)

Again, champagne is a drier alternative, especially given the presence of fruit sorbet, which is already very sweet. You can use a blender to speed things up or simply take your time with stirring. As the sparkling wine is carbonated, we don’t recommend a shaker!

Combine the ingredients in either a blender or a cocktail shaker and mix them until smooth. Pour into a chilled champagne flute and then garnish with a spring of mint.

Source: Nardini

10. Rum & Grappa Old Fashioned

We’ve mostly opted for refreshing cocktails but this laid-back lounge option is probably one of our favourites. Calling it an Old Fashioned is admittedly a stretch but we find that it’s pretty close in principle! You will need the following:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Dark Rum
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Grappa Bianca
• Angostura Bitters
• Orange Peel

We find that this recipe is better without sugar but you can add some if you prefer. Simply combine the ingredients with two dashes of Angostura bitters into a tumbler glass with ice and add the orange peel for garnish. Be sure to twist it beforehand so it releases its oils!

What Next?

Now that you have read about the best grappa cocktails, why don’t you check out some of our related spirit guides?

• What Is Grappa?
• Best Grappa Brands
• What Is Sambuca?
• Vermouth Spirit Guide
• Best Spirit & Liquor Glassware
• Alcoholic Spirit Homepage