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This 90-Year-Old Italian Cocktail Is the Only Way I’m Drinking White Wine This Summer (Just 3 Ingredients!)

Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn
Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor at The Kitchn
I've worked in food for more than 15 years as a private chef, caterer, recipe developer, test cook, writer, and editor (among other things!). Prior to joining The Kitchn team, I was an Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, where I contributed recipes to many well-researched, engaging cookbooks for children and families as well as to ATK's website. I was a contributing writer and performer on Mystery Recipe, an ingredient-themed podcast for families uncovering the fascinating world of food. I have also been a contributor to Serious Eats, and have worked on cookbooks for Ten Speed Press, Rebel Girls, and Clarkson Potter. I’m passionate about helping the home cook be successful in the kitchen, whether through well-written recipes, thoughtful explainers, or useful guides. (I'm also passionate about clogs and burritos, but that's neither here nor there.)
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published Aug 6, 2024
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Waiter pouring white wine on outdoor cafe terrace in sunny summer day
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I’m a big fan of both wine and spritzes in the warm months of the year. They’re refreshing, easy to drink, and can be light and fruity or pleasantly bitter, depending on the flavor profile I’m looking for. I recently discovered a simple spritz-adjacent drink from Spain that lightens red wine with cola into a refreshing cocktail reminiscent of traditional sangria. While I loved it, I’m a white wine gal at heart, and set out to find something similar that utilized my favorite variety, dry white wine. 

To my delight, I came across a three-ingredient Italian aperitivo called a bicicletta. It’s a mix of dry white wine and bitter liqueur (like Campari or Cappelletti), topped with club soda and garnished with a slice of orange or lemon. It sounded like exactly the summertime concoction I was looking for. I had to try it immediately.

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Credit: Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

How to Make a Bicicletta

Bicicletta is Italian for “bicycle.” The story goes that this Italian aperitivo — or pre-meal drink was named after the post-bar wobbly bike rides of elderly Italian men. Whatever the origin, this super simple stir-together cocktail is a low-alcohol treat.

I’m not the biggest Campari fan, so I opted instead to try this with Cappelletti, which is slightly sweeter and less astringent than Campari. (Think of it as Campari for people who don’t like Campari.) I mixed in an equal amount of pinot grigio (2 ounces each to be exact) and then topped the glass off with club soda and a slice of orange. 

This little gem of a drink is going to be in heavy rotation for me this summer. It’s got everything: It only needs a few ingredients, it’s got a slightly bitter flavor that’s not over the top, and no fancy glassware needed. I made mine in a highball glass, but you could really put this in any small-ish glass.

Tips for Making a Bicicletta

  • Use dry white wine. I used pinot grigio, but a sauvignon blanc or dry chardonnay would also work.
  • Experiment with bitter liqueurs. Some recipes call for Campari specifically, while others just call for “bitter red liqueur. The world of bitter liqueur is vast, so if you’re not into Campari, try a liqueur that offers bitterness but a different flavor profile like Cappelletti, Strucci Bitter, or Galliano L’Aperitivo.


This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: This 90-Year-Old Italian Cocktail Is the Only Way I’m Drinking White Wine This Summer (Just 3 Ingredients!)