Bellini cocktail
The Bellini cocktail is a simple, elegant cocktail to create, it is made using peach puree and prosecco served in a champagne glass. You can use champagne, but it is usually much too strong to pair well with the peach juice.
The Bellini was invented sometime between 1934 and 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy.
Cipriani named the drink the Bellini because its unique pink colour reminded him of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini.
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
- Units: 1.1
Equipment
- Champagne glass
Ingredients
- 75 ml prosecco
- 25 ml peach juice
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Dip (only) the rim of a champagne glass into a little of the peach juice and then the sugar to create frost the rim.
- Pour the peach juice into a cocktail shaker along with some ice cubes, and with the lid on, shake it quite vigorously until frothy.
- Strain the peach juice into the champagne flute.
- Finally top up with three measures of champagne and serve.
FAQ
How strong is a Bellini?
What is a Bellini cocktail?
A Bellini is a sparkling Italian cocktail made with prosecco and white peach purée, offering a light, fruity, and elegant drink. For another prosecco-based cocktail, try the Aperol Spritz.
When should I serve a Bellini?
Bellinis are ideal as a brunch drink, a wedding toast, or a summer aperitif. Their light sweetness makes them perfect before meals or alongside appetisers.
What food pairs well with a Bellini?
The fresh peach and bubbly prosecco pair well with light bites such as tzatziki or hummus beiruti.
Can you use fruits other than peach?
Yes – strawberries, raspberries, or even mango (one of my personal favourites) can be swapped in for seasonal twists. These variations keep the bubbly fruit style but shift the flavour, just like swapping liqueurs changes the character of a Kir Royale.