Few things scream summer more than a perfectly crafted cocktail enjoyed in its place of origin. From sun-soaked piazzas in Italy to seaside bars in Greece, every destination has a signature drink that blends culture, history, and lifestyle. This season, consider ordering these drinks on your travels, or book a trip to find where your cocktail of choice originated.
Aperol Spritz – Venice, Italy
Created in northern Italy in the early 20th century, the Aperol Spritz originally evolved from an Austrian tradition that diluted Italian wines with sparkling water. This was before Aperol was added to the mix in 1919 when it was born as the country’s classic aperitif. Today, there’s no better place to enjoy the bittersweet taste of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda than at a canal-side bacaro in Venice, where locals gather with friends and family for perhaps the best Italian ritual of aperitivo before dinner.
Tinto de Verano – Seville, Spain
A favorite across Spain, Tinto de Verano literally translates to “summer red wine.” It became popular as a lighter, more refreshing alternative to red wine during Andalusia’s scorching summers. Made with red wine and lemon soda over ice, it’s best enjoyed on a sunny plaza or at tapas bar in Seville, where locals linger over long lunches and warm evenings with a chilled glass in hand.
Mojito – Havana, Cuba
The mojito history traces all the way back to 16th-century Cuba, though the modern version became a favorite throughout Havana thanks to its refreshing combination of white rum, lime, mint, sugar, and soda water. Grab one at a historic Old Havana bar while listening to live Cuban music. After one…or two, you’ll understand why it’s become a quintessential summer cocktail around the world.
Pimm’s Cup – London, England
Invented in London during the 1840s by oyster bar owner James Pimm, the Pimm’s Cup has long been a trademark of British summers. Mixed with lemonade and piled high with fresh fruit, cucumber, and mint, it’s the drink of choice during events like Wimbledon, garden tea parties, and afternoons along the River Thames.
Caipirinha – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil’s national cocktail dates back more than a century, and was originally a medicinal remedy intended to treat the Spanish flu and other illnesses. Today though, it might just be a cure for your nerves. The drink incorporates Brazil’s signature spirit, cachaça, muddled with lime and sugar. It’s best enjoyed, glass in hand, toes in the sand, watching a sunset on Ipanema Beach or even while celebrating Carnival.
Paloma – Guadalajara, Mexico
While the margarita often takes center stage when it comes to famous Mexican cocktails, many locals and tourists often reach for a Paloma. Believed to have originated in the state of Jalisco, this refreshing cocktail combines tequila, grapefruit soda and lime with a salted rim for the perfect citrus-y drink.
French 75 – Paris, France
Named after the French 75 gun used during World War I, this sparkling cocktail combines gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar into a refreshing sip of French summer. While its exact historical origins are debated, there’s no better place to enjoy a French 75 than at a classic Parisian cocktail bar or sidewalk cafe.
Ouzo Lemonade – Mykonos, Greece
Ouzo is Greece’s signature anise-flavored spirit which dates back to the 19th century. During the summer months, it’s often served with lemonade, citrus, or sparkling water for a lighter twist to be enjoyed in the heat. Sip one this summer at a waterfront restaurant overlooking the Aegean Sea, and you’ll find it’s the ideal pairing for grilled seafood and views of clear blue waters and gorgeous bright Greecian architecture.
Singapore Sling – Singapore
Created at the famed Raffles Hotel Long Bar in the early 1900s, the Singapore Sling mixes gin with cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime, and herbal liqueurs into a fresh tropical classic. While it’s now served around the globe, enjoying the original in the surroundings where it was first brought to life should be another bucket-list experience for cocktail lovers.
