20 best Italicus cocktails

Strictly speaking, this page should be titled "20 best Rosolio de Bergamotto cocktails" or even "20 best Bergamot liqueur cocktails" but the truth is, although a relatively new brand, Italicus dominates this category. That said, Italicus is modelled after a very traditional Italian style of liqueur.

Rounded by a honeyed sweetness, Italicus is loaded with aromatic zesty citrus oils supported by herbal and floral notes and is most suited to aperitivo cocktails, although it also lends itself to a wide variety of cocktails through to after dinner. Follows our selection of the 20 best on Difford's Guide.

Bergamot & Coconut Cobbler
With: Italicus, fino sherry and coconut water.
We say: A low-low alcohol, light and refreshing aperitivo which delivers the promised flavours of bergamot and coconut.

Bergamot Bamboo
With: Italicus, fino sherry and Angostura bitters.
We say: A bergamot influenced riff on the classic Bamboo that's best enjoyed as an aperitivo.

Bergamot Negroni
With: Italicus, oak aged gin, Campari and extra dry vermouth.
We say: As the name suggests, subtle bergamot notes influence this dryish Negroni riff.

Clandestine
With: Scotch whisky, gentian liqueur, Italicus and honey syrup.
We say: Honey balances bitter notes of gentian with citrusy bergamot and Scotch spirit.

Coffee & Tonic
With: Italicus, tonic water and cold brew coffee.
We say: Sipping through the bitter layer of coffee is a great start to this lightly bittersweet aperitivo.

Crystal Clear
With: Vodka, kummel, Italicus and birch water.
We say: Subtly citrusy and piney with delicate caraway. Clearly refined.

Fantasticus
With: Italicus, light rum and sugar syrup.
We say: Delicious bergamot zesty freshness with subtle underlying rum. Great as an after-dinner freshening digestivo.

Favola
With: Dry gin, Italicus, limoncello, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Mouth puckering zesty citrus freshness underpinned by gin's botanical complexity.

For Sake's Sake
With: Light rum, sake, Italicus and orange curaçao liqueur.
We say: Hopefully you'll find this aromatic, subtly orange influenced sake and rum-based Martini-like cocktail both delightful to drink and easy to spell.

Garibaldicus
With: Italicus and pink grapefruit juice.
We say: Bergamot liqueur and grapefruit juice combine beautifully and while a tasty aperitivo this combo is best served with breakfast.

IPAlicus
With: Italicus and IPA beer.
We say: Take a citrusy hopped beer and add a tad more citrus in the shape of Rosolio di Bergamotto. The result is predictably citrusy, refreshing and suited to the aperitivo moment rather than a night down the Rose & Crown.

Italicup
With: Italicus, grapefruit juice, saline solution and soda water.
We say: Sour grapefruit and sweet bergamot balance each other in this refreshingly light aperitivo.

L'Arte Della Bellezza
With: Italicus, moscato single-varietal grappa and Americano Bianco.
We say: A short flavoursome, slightly sweet after-dinner grappa-laced cocktail.

Negroni Bianco Bergamotto
With: Dry gin, Italicus and extra dry vermouth.
We say: Dry with wine-like minerality, zesty bergamot and piney gin notes.

No Borders
With: Birch spirit, gentian liqueur, Italicus and Campari.
We say: A tasty bittersweet Negroni-style aperitif.

Olimpo
With: Italicus, extra dry vermouth and rhubarb bitters.
We say: A summery light aperitivo.

Reno
With: Amaro, gentian liqueur, Americano Bianco and Italicus.
We say: The distinctive flavours of amaro and gentian dominate this bittersweet but mellow aperitif.

Spritzer Fresco
With: Acqua Bianca liqueur, Italicus, grapefruit juice and prosecco.
We say: Zesty, floral, aromatic and fresh. A complex and refreshing spritz.

Stonage
With: Pisco, amaro, Italicus, lemon juice and vanilla syrup.
We say: Layers of sour citrus, bittersweet vanilla and cleansing Moscato grape spirit. Best enjoyed as an aperitivo.

The Queen's Steeple
With: Amaro, cynar, Italicus and Boker's bitters.
We say: Montenegro amaro dominates this bittersweet delicately orangey aperitif cocktail.