Mezzo E Mezzo

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (4 ratings)

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Ingredients:
1 12 oz Nardini Rosso
1 12 oz Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro
2 oz Thomas Henry Soda Water
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill an Old-fashioned glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.
  3. POUR ingredients into ice-filled glass.
  4. Briefly STIR.
  5. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Review:

Slightly on the bitter side of bittersweet, this classic aperitivo is light and palate cleansing. Best made with equal parts Nardini Rosso, Nardini Rabarbaro and soda.

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History:

Originally and properly made with equal parts Nardini Rosso, Nardini Rabarbaro and soda water, this drink originates from the famous Grapperia Nardini on the Ponte Vecchio where Nardini Rosso was first served with soda water in the 1920s. In the 1970s a drinker tried Nardini Rosso with a dash of Nardini’s rhubarb liqueur. The combination became increasingly popular, and as its popularity grew, so the dash became larger until the mixture reached equal parts Nardini Rosso and Rabarbaro.

Nutrition:

One serving of Mezzo E Mezzo contains 137 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 0.5 standard drinks
  • 4.72% alc./vol. (4.72° proof)
  • 7.1 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Luca Viviani’s Avatar Luca Viviani
25th October 2020 at 08:24
I tried this unpretentious but delicious aperitivo in the summer of 2019 while in Bassano del Grappa for work. Apparently, the bridge is always packed with people sipping a Mezzo e Mezzo before dinner time. The drink is so popular that Nardini sells a pre-mixed Mezzo e Mezzo liquor, half Rosso & half Rabarbaro.
Matt Excell’s Avatar Matt Excell
6th September 2020 at 07:54
I've been served a Mezzo e Mezzo at Camparino in Milan that had Campari instead of a rosso vermouth style. Is that just Campari jumping on another brand's established creation?
Matt Excell’s Avatar Matt Excell
7th September 2020 at 07:54
In fairness, it wasn't written down on a menu the bartender recommended it and explained that it was a "Mezzo e Mezzo"
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
6th September 2020 at 09:05
Was it called a "Mezzo e Mezzo" or was the name also tweaked?