The Italian Dance: Your New Go-To Summer Aperitif
Courtesy Jessica “Rabbit” King, co-owner, Brother Wolf, Knoxville
Specializing in drinks that channel Italy’s relaxed aperitivo culture, the name of this drink from Knoxville bar Brother Wolf translates from Italian as “The Dance.” It refers to “the dance a bartender must perform when shaking and serving a drink,” explains co-owner Jessica “Rabbit” King, who created the drink. It’s also an apt way to describe how two Italian components, wine-based Cocchi Rosa and chinotto, a non-alcoholic soda made with bittersweet orange, “dance” together harmoniously in this low-proof sipper.
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Click here to subscribe today!
The Italian Dance/La Danza Cocktail
Ingredients
2 ounces Cocchi Rosa
¾ ounce pink grapefruit juice
½ ounce orange juice
2 dashes orange oil*
2 ounces Lurisia Chinotto soda
1 pinch Maldon sea salt flakes, to garnish
Combine Cocchi Rosa, juices and orange oil in a mixing tin with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with Lurisia Chinotto soda and garnish with a small sprinkle of Maldon flakes.
*Brother Wolf uses a bottled essential oil (LorAnn Oils). Another option is to twist an orange peel over the top of the finished drink to express the essential oils, enhancing the aromatics.
Published on July 23, 2022
