Cocchi Americano – Prendiamo un aperitivo
Meet the It Girl
With easy Piemontese elegance she will open your palate and please you. Derived from Moscato d’Asti, Cocchi (COKE-ey) Americano has been around since 1891, around Italia anyway, but she hit the U.S in a Bordeaux style bottle about a year ago, and she has made a splash. This aperitivo alcolici opens with an almost syrupy taste of caramelized orange peel and finishes in a distinctly adult fashion with the bitter taste of cinchona bark. In between come aromatics and spice – a seductive blend reminiscent of cinnamon and star anise.
Ask aperitivo devotees about it, and they will first wax poetic as they speak of the long gone Kina Lillet. Their faces brighten as they turn to Cocchi Americano. Kina Lillet devotees are so pleased with Cocchi Americano, they have found it a most suitable replacement in cocktails that were originally made with their late lamented Kina Lillet. What James Bond fan could forget the Vesper from Casino Royale? Weep no more. The It Girl is here.
Per fare l’Americano
When Italians mix this with anything, it is sparkling water. Standard proportions are equal parts Cocchi Americano and sparkling water over ice. For a boost try 2 to 1 Cocchi Americano to sparkling water. In our house Bart likes equal parts, while I go for a milder version – 1 part Cocchi Americano to 3 parts sparkling water. It is up to you. It’s your drink, after all. Finish it with an orange twist or slice. You can’t go wrong – start with equal parts and see where your taste buds take you. For an extra bitter kick, add a dash of Aperol. Summer’s on the way. Grab a bottle, perfect your proportions (I’m talking about the drink, not you) and dazzle your guests when you host an early evening Aperitivo get together.
Bottles run from $18.00 to $20.00. Depending on where you live, Cocchi Americano may be a bit elusive. It is available from K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood, California.
Note: You can click on any picture to see a slide show with even more pictures!
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Thursday, May 5th 2011 at 4:30 pm |
excellent aperitif
Saturday, May 7th 2011 at 10:22 am |
Thanks so much, Anthony. I am so glad you like it. With summer on its way, we’ll be pouring plenty around here. Be sure to send me a photo for my Readers’ Gallery!
Saturday, May 7th 2011 at 9:54 am |
I love Lillet, I can’t wait to try this aperitif. I hope I can find it in SF, if not I will try and get it in LA. Thanks, Adri!
Saturday, May 7th 2011 at 10:17 am |
If you are a Lillet fan, especially Kina Lillet,then this is the aperitivo for you. I bet you will love it. I purchased mine at K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood. They have a store in San Francisco at:
K&L San Francisco
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107
(415) 896-1734
(415) 896-1739 (Fax)
They will be able to help you. And when you serve your Cocchi Americano, either neat or mixed, be sure to send a photograph of your drink to me. I would love to post it in the Readers’ Gallery!
Sunday, August 26th 2012 at 10:38 pm |
Wow- i have always adored lillet and i adore anything with “la china” – i can buy quinine bark here and i make my own digestivi!!! it is fun.
i have all the ingredients now to make alchermes, which tuscans use a lot for their dessert soaks for cakes. Always love your posts.
Monday, August 27th 2012 at 7:25 am |
Hi Judy,
Over the last couple of years I have developed such a taste for la china. When I was young I had no appreciation for it whatsoever. But using the bark to make your own aperitivi, now that is a cut above. Wow. I have heard of alchemes, but never tasted nor even seen it here. Hopefully, I inquire, may I expect a post?
Thursday, February 14th 2013 at 11:59 pm |
You are really widening my horizon, Adri. Never seen the Cocchi in the shops I frequent, but now I’ll try to look harder.
Friday, February 15th 2013 at 5:59 am |
Ciao Mette,
You will love it. It is light, and with some sparkling water, ice and a citrus twist, a perfect aperitivo. Cheers!