This is my new drink of choice.

Cocktail San Pellegrino.

Don’t ask me what’s in it though or what it tastes like, because it’s really hard to explain. They say it’s ginger-flavored, but it’s nothing like ginger ale.

It’s not one of those things you drink all the time though. It’s more of an aperitivo and it’s not alcoholic at all. In fact, despite what some may think, widespread drinking isn’t all that common in Italy. Yes, there’s wine with meals, but I can count on one hand (and not use up all the fingers) the number of times I’ve actually seen someone drunk. Plus, it’s not that falling down, obnoxious, disgusting drunk that you often see in the US. Enough said about that….

We usually go out for an aperitivo on Sundays, before the main meal. Sometimes we’ll splurge and have a prosecchino and other times we’ll opt for a Cocktail San Pellegrino. With your aperitivo you usually get some snacks, kind of like happy hour in the States where they’ll bring chips, pretzels, nuts, etc. There are actually some bars that bring things more on the line of hors d’oeuvres. Of course, you pay more for the drinks there too.

But back to my new drink of choice. Isn’t it a pretty color?

Like I said, I’m not sure what’s in it. There are other types too and they’re all kind of bitter. This company makes another one called Sanbitter. Notice it says “Zero Alcol, Molto Spirito”.

Plus there’s one called Crodino. (Sorry, no picture) The Cocktail San Pellegrino is my favorite though. What does it taste like? Well, like I said in the title, it definitely is an acquired taste. It’s a little bitter and does have a hint of something somewhat like cough syrup. I know, you’re thinking that it doesn’t sound particularly appetizing or refreshing. But really, once you get used to it, it’s quite good. I know some friends out there who are saying, “No way, tried that and I’m not drinking it again.” You know who you are.

Of course, O told me that “they” (the all-knowing, impossible to pinpoint “they”) say that if you drink too much of it your eyeballs will bulge out. I keep checking in the mirror, but so far, they seem pretty normal. If I start looking like Marty Feldman, you’ll know why.

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