Cocchi Americano Bianco

Bright. Aromatic. The original Italian aperitivo.
Cocchi Americano Bianco is one of Italy's most celebrated aromatised wines and a true icon of the aperitivo tradition. First created in 1891 by Giulio Cocchi, it has remained remarkably faithful to its original recipe, offering a captivating balance of citrus, herbs, floral aromas, and gentle bitterness. Despite its name, there is nothing American about its origin—the term "Americano" refers to the pleasantly bitter ("amaro") character that became fashionable at the end of the nineteenth century.

Produced in Asti by Cocchi, Cocchi Americano is built on a base of quality Italian white wines, carefully infused with a secret blend of botanicals that includes gentian, cinchona bark, citrus peel, and aromatic herbs. The result is an aperitif that sits beautifully between vermouth and bitters—fresh and vibrant enough to enjoy on its own, yet complex enough to elevate some of the world's finest cocktails.

Among bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts, Cocchi Americano has earned legendary status. It is often considered the closest modern equivalent to the original Kina Lillet, the aperitif famously specified in Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, for the iconic Vesper Martini. Today, it has become an essential ingredient in premium cocktail bars around the world, prized for its elegant bitterness and remarkable depth of flavour.

In the glass, it displays a brilliant pale gold colour with luminous reflections. The nose is immediately inviting, opening with aromas of grapefruit, lemon peel, white flowers, chamomile, fresh herbs, and delicate spice, all underpinned by subtle quinine notes that add intrigue without overwhelming the fruit.

The palate is wonderfully balanced, combining juicy citrus, ripe orchard fruit, floral elegance, and refreshing herbal complexity. Notes of orange zest, grapefruit, alpine herbs, and gentle spice lead into a pleasantly bittersweet finish where quinine and gentian linger with exceptional finesse. It is vibrant, refreshing, and endlessly moreish.

For aperitivo lovers in Ireland, Cocchi Americano Bianco is one of those bottles that quickly becomes indispensable. Whether enjoyed over ice with soda, served with a slice of grapefruit, or mixed into a Vesper Martini, White Negroni, or Corpse Reviver No. 2, it delivers a level of sophistication that few aperitifs can match.

Why we love it:
Few aperitifs are as versatile or as historically important as Cocchi Americano. Bright citrus, delicate botanicals, and refined bitterness come together in perfect harmony, making it equally enjoyable on a sunny terrace or behind a cocktail bar. Once you discover its freshness and complexity, it's a bottle you'll find yourself reaching for time and again.