Taking inspiration from some of Italy’s major train stations and most picturesque gardens, Ritorno bar and al fresco terrace in Chelsea has created a veritable botanical show-stopper of new summer aperitivo cocktails with one of Italy’s finest aperitivo wines, Cocchi.
Head barman Paolo Viola has created the ultimate ‘Grand Tour’, enabling guests to sip their way around Italy’s regional aperitivos, each laced with delicate floral and botanical essences local to the region, finished with a spritz of atomised scent. From the Japanese gardens of Firenze to the wild roses bordering the river Po in Modena, each cocktail symbolises the flavours and flowers of Italy. With every cocktail purchased, a train ticket will be given, enabling guests to take a voyage of their senses through sight, scent and taste.
Grand Central Italia Aperitivo Cocktails (£13 each)
STAZIONE CENTRALE DI ASTI
Cocchi Americano, Moscato D’Asti, lime cordial, elderflower press and Genzianella
Perfume—Elderflower and lemon peel
Region—Piedmont
Flowers—the Sambucus (Elderflower)
Inspiration—The Piedmont region of NW Italy has an extreme climate, warm winters and cooler summers. Perfect for the Adoxaceae flowering plant family, the elderflower in particular.
STAZIONE ROMA TERMINI
Cocchi Rosa, homemade chamomile syrup, lemon juice, egg white and white lemonade
Perfume—Red rose
Region—Rome
Flower—Red rose
Inspiration—The Valleranello Rose Garden (one of the 30 best in the world with over 1,000 different varieties). The Roman Chamomile—Chamaemelum Nobile—essential oil is one of the most popular types used in aromatherapy.
STAZIONE CENTRALE DI MODENA
Cocchi Rosa, Lambrusco wine, orange bitters, lemon and white-pink wild rose
Perfume—Orange & pink rose
Region—Modena and the Po valley
Flower—Rosa (Canina) or wild roses
Inspiration—The Pianura Padana, bordered by the Secchia and Panaro rivers that lead to the river Po. On the banks are found pale pink wild roses.
STAZIONE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA FIRENZE
Cocchi Americano & Rosa, Sabatini Gin, China elixir bitters, yuzu juice, soda and Shiso leaf
Perfume—Lemon and the Viola flower
Region—Florence
Flower—Violets
Inspiration—The Florence garden, a Japanese garden growing the likes of Shiso plants; the city is twinned with Kyoto so has a strong connection with the Orient.
STAZIONE NOTABARTOLO DI PALERMO
Cocchi Americano, amara liqueur, fresh mint, fresh lime and white lemon granita
Perfume—Zagara flowers
Region—Sicily
Flower—Zagara flower
Inspiration—The botanical gardens of Palermo (Orto Botanico), home to one of the Mediterranean’s largest tropical plant collections. Sicily is also home to the Zagara flower, with strong citrus notes it’s an essential component to plentiful bitter orange liqueurs.
