Italian food is beloved worldwide. From handmade pastas to fresh seafood, it’s all about quality ingredients, simple dishes and sharing with loved ones. And the drinks you have alongside it should live by the same idea.

Most people reach for wine when it comes to Italian cuisine, especially a bottle from the country itself. But cocktails offer a different dynamic. A sweet, herbal, sour or bitter drink can contrast and balance the food’s flavours, delivering a fun new way to experience each dish.

And much like wine, it’s less about matching one drink to everything, and more about moving with the meal – something bittersweet to start, something brighter alongside the main, and something slower once the plates are cleared.

Here’s a few classic cocktails that work best and the Italian dishes best served alongside them.

Pair with: antipasti, focaccia, arancini and bruschetta

A Boulevardier – otherwise known as a Scotch Negroni – is a natural place to begin. The Negroni itself is one of Italy’s best-known cocktails, typically served at aperitivo hour, a time where friends and family gather to share a drink and pre-dinner snacks.

Typically built on bitterness, sweetness and citrus, this version sticks to the winning formula. Here, the base shifts to The Glenlivet 15 Year Old, adding a deeper whisky character.

That bittersweet edge stimulates the appetite and works beautifully with antipasti. It cuts through the richness of Italian meats and deep-fried arancini, while still sitting comfortably alongside focaccia, olives, nuts and the fresh tomato toppings of bruschetta.

Serve it early, while everything’s still being laid out and people are helping themselves. And get more inspiration in our guide to cocktail and appetiser pairings.

Pair with: salty or creamy cheeses, and cured meats

The Maraschino Cherry Manhattan sits somewhere between savoury and sweet, which gives it a bit more flexibility when it comes to pairing.

The cherry adds a subtle fruitiness that works well with charcuterie, particularly when you’ve got a mix of cured meats and rich cheeses on the table. The sweetness balances the salty crunch of Parmigiano-Reggiano and smoky edge of prosciutto. Whilst its deeper notes balance the creaminess of burrata and gorgonzola.

It’s easy to move between courses with this one, which makes it work with starters and mains that feature strong flavoured meats such as ‘Nduja, pancetta and guanciale.

Pair with: grilled seafood, fresh fish and creamy risotto

A Whisky Sour is an incredibly versatile drink for food pairing, bringing lightness to any dish. Fresh lemon lifts the drink, with sweetness and a silky finish to balance every sip. 

There’s plenty of suitable dishes to pair with a Whisky Sour but when it comes to Italian food, we particularly enjoy it with seafood or citrus-led dishes where a squeeze of lemon is already in play. Equally, its citrus flavour works wonderfully with creamy dishes like Risotto alla Mianese, cutting through the dish’s richness.

A Whisky Sour is an easy cocktail to make once you know the formula. Simply shake, strain and serve with a citrus twist. Serving up an Italian seafood buffet? Discover more cocktail pairings for fish.

Pair with: ragù-based pasta, slow-cooked lamb and osso buco

An Old Fashioned is about as simple as it gets, which is exactly why it works with Italian food that follows suit.

With just whisky, sugar and bitters to its name, The Old Fashioned is simple enough to sip alongside dishes where the flavours are strong and don’t need competition. Think slow-cooked meats, tomato-based sauces or anything rich and comforting. It doesn’t cut through in the same way as citrus, but instead rounds everything out, sitting alongside heartier dishes like lasagna, wild boar stew and osso buco.

Pair with: desserts such as panna cotta and tiramisu

The Godfather is a classic drink that definitely deserves a place on an Italian menu, not only because of its connection to the Mafia blockbuster. Part scotch whisky and part Italian amaretto, it’s a simple combination that packs a punch in flavour.

Warm, full-bodied and with a soft almond sweetness, The Godfather cocktail pairs naturally with Italian desserts. Tiramisu, chocolate-based dishes, or anything creamy all sit comfortably alongside its nutty notes. Whilst panna cotta with fruity berry coulis is a match made in heaven. Get more ideas in our guide to cocktail dessert pairings.

Pair with: crispy cannoli, biscotti and chocolate truffles

A Scotch Whisky Coffee brings everything to a close in the same way a strong espresso might. Made with smooth single malt, powdered sugar and milk, it’s simple and satisfying. And doesn’t need much to accompany it.

Serve alongside traditional Italian biscuits such as cantuccini or amaretti that can be dipped into the cocktail. Or pair with a selection of chocolate truffles. It’s the last drink of the evening. Something to sit with, rather than rush.

Italian food is all about pace, and the drinks should follow it. A few well-chosen cocktails can take you from the first plate to the last without needing to overthink it.

If you’re looking for more pairing ideas, explore this guide to cocktail food pairing or discover more options with our top dinner party drinks.