Alba Rosa – Cocchi Americano Rosa and Grapefruit Juice
Rosa Dawn – an aperitivo in rose colored glasses
When I first wrote about Cocchi Americano Rosa in March of this year, I heard from some readers who simply could not find it. Dear Readers, this spicy, fresh little sister of Cocchi’s stalwart Cocchi Americano is available now.
This vino aromatizzato (aromatized wine) is made from red varietals from Piemonte, a region in northern Italy. Vini aromatizzati (plural) have been with us for millennia and are made by infusing wine with spices, herbs and roots. Vermouth is perhaps the best known among this class of wine. China (cinchona bark or quinine) with its beloved bitter bite is often used in vini aromatizzati, and is the final note in this wine.
The first time I tasted Cocchi Americano Rosa I was intrigued by notes of spicy rose petals along with the distinct taste of pink grapefruit; I knew I had found my new summer drink. Mix it with pink or ruby red grapefruit juice over cracked ice for a refreshing afternoon tipple. Serve this at your next brunch gathering, and the Bloody Mary will be a thing of the past. Cheers!
Alba Rosa
serves 1
¼ cup Cocchi Americano Rosa
¾ cup fresh squeezed ruby red or pink grapefruit juice
cracked ice
Fill a glass, any glass, rocks, highball or otherwise, half full with cracked ice. Add Cocchi Americano Rosa and grapefruit juice, and stir. You can use commercial grapefruit juice, but fresh juice provides a far more alluring color and a fresher brighter flavor. Garnish with a wedge of ruby red or pink grapefruit and serve.
Cocchi Americano Rosa is available at The Wine House in West Los Angeles, K&L Wine Merchants, and at other purveyors of wine and spirits. The cost is about $22.00 for 750 ml.
Note: You can click on any picture to see a slide show!
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Saturday, June 1st 2013 at 10:44 pm |
Looks perfect for a hot 101 deg LA day. K&L here I come. But, I may use deli grapefruit juice. thanks!
Saturday, June 1st 2013 at 10:51 pm |
Ciao Foodie!
You’re going to like this one. You can use commercial juice, but do purchase a premium brand for best color and flavor. Cin! Cin!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 8:46 am |
This sounds like SUCH an awesome, refreshing drink, especially with the hot weather that’s starting here in the South. YUM!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 9:53 am |
Ciao Amy,
Yes, indeed, this would be perfect for a hot afternoon. Also great for your hot summer weather is Cocchi Americano Rosa with soda, ice and a slice of lemon. Cheers!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 1:47 pm |
Adri, your drink looks phenomenal, I love the beautiful color it has and it sounds quite delicious – you described the taste as having notes of rose petals and pink grapefruit – now that sounds just wonderful – I will have to visit my very favorite Italian store in Cologne soon and look for some Cocchi Americano Rosa and serve it to my guests!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 4:13 pm |
Ciao Andrea,
I am thrilled to hear that this intrigues you. Cocchi Americano Rosa has these wonderful floral spice notes, almost peppery. I hope you find it with ease. It is also grand with soda, ice, and a slice of lemon. Cheers!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 2:22 pm |
Un cocktail dal meraviglioso colore rosato, ottima idea Adri, buona settimana!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 4:19 pm |
Ciao, Chiara,
Questo cocktail e bellissimo, come un’alba. Credo che questo vino aperitivo e perfetto per l’estate. E grazie per la tua assistenza!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 2:26 pm |
Ottimo aperitivo, dissenate e rinfrescante!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 4:26 pm |
Grazie Simona,
Si, questo cocktail e buono. Spero che lo provi!
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 3:14 pm |
I have GOT to put this on my summer drink repertoire. Thanks to you we know all about it. And those photos – wow. They look straight out of a glossy magazine.
Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 4:32 pm |
Hi Linda,
Oh. I can not wait to hear what you think. This one is right up your alley with just a kiss of bitter in the finish. Cheers!
Monday, June 3rd 2013 at 10:24 am |
Though I admit this is an exceptionally delicious apertivo, I somehow found the image of the red striped rooster disturbing! GREG
Monday, June 3rd 2013 at 5:35 pm |
Hi Greg,
Exceptional indeed, and primo for summer drinks. I am pleased to hear that you like it too. As for the painted poultry, I love that audaciously decorated bird! Salute!
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 at 5:17 am |
Ma che piacere leggere in questo post che i vini piemontesi entrano a far parte di questo ottimo prodotto! foto molto belle!!! brava!
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 at 11:04 am |
Ciao!
Si, veramente, La Casa di Cocchi è in Piemonte… molti prodotti, come i loro vini spumanti e barolo chinato sono realizzati con vini piemontesi. Boune notizie per te! Grazie per le tue gentilissime parole!
Wednesday, June 5th 2013 at 12:18 am |
This latest cool summer drink puts me in mind of another of your summer coolers, the blueberry popsicles with moonshine. I was recently able to create them with moonshine. I am no longer in Alice Springs, Northern Territory but back in Queensland where the alcohol laws are more relaxed. Sufficiently relaxed that one is allowed to distill a small amount of spirits for personal use. My nephew in law learned how to do this from his father and he makes an excellent high proof product. Adri, the popsicles were fantastic and within the law!
Wednesday, June 5th 2013 at 8:35 am |
Hi Aileen,
Excellent! I think you are my first home distiller! What a cool project! I hope all is well.
Saturday, June 8th 2013 at 9:53 am |
This looks like it’s going to be a staple this summer!
Saturday, June 8th 2013 at 11:17 am |
You will love this. Cheers!
Tuesday, June 11th 2013 at 12:08 pm |
I love the idea of grapefruit with the Rosso. I finally tracked down a bottle! (I’d only had the Bianco), and found it a bit sweet when I tasted it solo, but the bitter/sour of grapefruit will be perfect to mix with it. The heat index here is hitting 100 today and tomorrow – I know what I’ll be sipping at cocktail hour 🙂
Tuesday, June 11th 2013 at 2:01 pm |
Ciao Karen,
I am so glad you found a bottle. It is a bit on the sweet side, and so is a perfect match for pink or ruby red grapefruit juice. Also try it over ice with soda and a nice slice of lemon. I think this is going to be great for summer. I can’t wait to start experimenting with Aperol and Campari. Cheers!
Thursday, June 13th 2013 at 10:07 pm |
Carissima, qui a Londra il tempo varia dalla calda estate al ventoso e freddo autunno. Un bel aperitivo con vino piemontese ci starebbe bene come alternativa all’Inglese PIMM’S che e’sempre presente nel nostro frigo e aspetta solo che l’estate ritorni….
Sunday, June 16th 2013 at 4:43 am |
Ciao Rita,
Certo – a Londra si beve di Pimm’s. Spero che voi provare questo vino aperitivo. E veramente buono.
Monday, June 17th 2013 at 2:29 pm |
This sounds like a delightful summer appertif, lighter and sweeter than my favorite Negroni
Monday, June 17th 2013 at 9:41 pm |
Hi Pat,
That’s a great description. I just love this! I hope you try it.
Monday, July 1st 2013 at 12:39 am |
A wonderful drink! So refreshing.
Cheers,
Rosa
Monday, July 1st 2013 at 5:36 am |
Hi Rosa,
It is indeed refreshing, and how cool to have a drink named after yourself!