ARIES
The GARIBALDI, a fiery blend of Campari and freshly squeezed orange juice, is a drink as bold and vibrant as an Aries–and the Italian hero it’s named after. (Though the drink’s christening doesn’t come from the namesake’s personality, but rather the shirt color of his loyal supporters!) It seems only fitting that Aries, ruled by Mars, is the warrior of the zodiac, charging ahead with fearless energy, just as the stylish General Garibaldi did during the Unification of Italy. But back to the drink: much like Aries, the Garibaldi is direct–it is what it is without much pomp or circumstance–but that directness comes with a hearty side of punchiness (ever been insulted by an Aries?). Just as Aries dives headfirst into challenges, the Garibaldi hits your taste buds with a burst of citrusy zest and a bitter edge that commands attention. Aries seem constantly on the verge of an explosion into anger and/or joy, ready to animate into ferment, and so too does the Garibaldi, as the orange juice is frothed right before serving.
TAURUS
Much like the CAMPARI SODA, Taurus embodies a blend of simplicity and sophistication that never goes out of style. Ruled by Venus, these Earth signs are as grounded and reliable as can be. So is the Campari Soda, also known as the Campari Seltz in Milan, the first ever aperitivo cocktail. When the Camparino bar opened in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in 1915, it was installed with an innovative soda water system, which meant the sparkling drink could be mixed with the family’s bitter Campari for a light, refreshing concoction to be guzzled before dinner. The easy recipe hasn’t changed since–as consistent as a Taurus… or perhaps as stubborn. These bulls can be as bittersweet as a Campari Soda; they love relaxing and enjoying the finer things in life like, say, the perfect packaging of the single-serve Campari Soda bottles, designed by Fortunato Depero in 1932. But they also love working towards their goals, bold and immutable in the pursuit. All in all, Campari Soda and Taurus are flavors that stand their ground.
GEMINI
Gemini, Gemini, Gemini, full of surprises. Just like a SGROPPINO, lemon sorbet mixed with vodka and topped with prosecco. These air signs may seem innocent at first, as does a Sgroppino, but they’ve got a complex inner world–and a Sgroppino has much more booze than you might expect. The Sgroppino is thought to date back to 16th-century Venice (for reference, that’s when construction of the Rialto Bridge began), but didn’t take off until the mid-19th century when refrigeration/freezing became more accessible. Back at its inception, ice was a luxury, accessible only to the elite, and it’s said that an anonymous kitchen servant first served Sgroppino at an aristocrat’s lavish dinner party. The drink was a hit, and quickly became a popular after-dinner digestivo and palate cleanser (Gemini are a breath of fresh air too!); the name “Sgroppino” comes from the Italian verb sgropàre, meaning “to untie a small knot,” referencing the way your stomach might feel after a heavy meal. Geminis are also pros at untying small knots, if you will, as their lighting-fast wit means no problem is too big or small to fix. Some may call the Sgroppino a dessert, others a cocktail (or even a merenda), and these twins certainly are familiar with having a dual identity.
CANCER
Cancer’s celestial cocktail counterpart is the HUGO, a relatively recent creation, first mixed in the early 2000s by bartender Roland Gruber in South Tyrol. This cocktail combines elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, and a garnish of mint and lime for the most refreshing spritz Italy has to offer. (It’s a summertime classic for these summer babies!) Hugo’s elderflower liqueur, known for its delicate, floral notes, is the perfect match for Cancer’s nurturing and empathetic nature. Just as elderflower has been celebrated for centuries in European herbal medicine for its healing properties, Cancer is the supportive and caring friend who always knows how to offer comfort–whether it’s picking up a vaschetta of gelato for you post-heartbreak or cozying up under a comforter together in front of one of Italy’s classic films. We really can’t think of a friendlier cocktail–with a name like Hugo, it practically oozes a Cancerian warmth. Without any heavy alcohols (on the taste buds or the liver), the Hugo is certainly one of Italy’s most delicate cocktails, and these water signs the most sensitive of the zodiac.
LEO
There’s perhaps no cocktail with more charisma than the NEGRONI SBAGLIATO, a twist on the Negroni that subs sparkling wine for gin. It certainly has the Leo-like flair for the theatrical: the Sbagliato went viral on TikTok in 2022 with a video of HBO’s House of Dragon star Olivia Cooke asking co-star Emma D’Arcy about their favorite drink. It led to a 501% increase in searches for the cocktail–now this is the type of attention a Leo demands! The “stunning” Negroni Sbagliato was certainly on the tips of everyone’s tongues, as are drama-loving Leos most always. “Sbagliato” means “mistaken”, and the story goes that, at Milan’s renowned Bar Basso in the 1970s, bartender Mirko Stocchetto accidentally swapped the gin with prosecco. It’s a fitting origin story for a sign that loves a bit of chaos; these fire signs aren’t preoccupied with doing things the way they’re “supposed” to be done, believing instead that “mistakes” can make the best stories (and cocktails). The Sbagliato is still served at Bar Basso in towering glasses as big as a Leo’s personality (and ego).
VIRGO
Like the classic MILANO-TORINO, Virgo embodies a refined simplicity and meticulous attention to detail. The cocktail, with its precise balance of Campari and vermouth, mirrors Virgo’s love for order, perfection, and understated elegance. It’s a drink that doesn’t need flashy ingredients or complex preparation to shine, much like the humble Virgo’s ability to excel through practicality and precision. Plus, most other fan-favorite Italian cocktails have piggybacked upon the Milano-Torino–a feeling these earth signs know well. Born at Caffè Camparino in the 1860s and named for the two cities from whence the alcohols originate, the double-alcohol delight birthed both the Americano and the Negroni, which has now far exceeded its predecessor in stardom. (Fitting for Virgos, who often tend to be the “moms” of their friend groups.) Virgos too may avoid the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean they’ve left the stage. Often pulling strings from behind the scenes, they tend to focus on the details that most others would overlook. And, although they derive great personal satisfaction from doing this well, it’s easy for them to feel taken for granted by others. So, the next time you slurp down an Americano, Negroni, or Sbagliato, remember that they all owe their existence to the modest Mi-To.
LIBRA
What better than a SPRITZ for these people pleasers? Libras are convivial spirits that thrive in any social setting, and we can’t think of any cocktail that can carry a crowd more than the Spritz. Ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony, Libras have a natural ability to tune into the dynamics of a room and adjust their behavior to maintain balance and connection; you might even call them community chameleons. As easygoing, light, and bubbly as these air signs, the shapeshifting Spritz can fit any mood (or any time of day). A Select Spritz with cicchetti at noon in Venice? A classic one with Aperol alongside the Milanese sciure at aperitivo hour? How about one with Cynar or Mirto or limoncello? No matter which route you choose, the Spritz is guaranteed to fit the bill. And, just like the zodiac’s effortless aesthetes, the Spritz manages to be elegant–but in a laid back, low-key, just-woke-up-like-this way. It just has an effervescent nature that mirrors Libra’s natural ability to light up any room!
SCORPIO
Like a NEGRONI, Scorpios are not for the faint of heart. This world-famous cocktail–equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari–packs a powerful punch in the ABV department. Needless to say, the Negroni is as intense on the liver as the Scorpio is on the heart; these enigmatic water signs are famously passionate and loyal, though they’re often considered mysterious as it takes a long minute to truly get to know them. The Negroni’s Campari, with its bitter edge, reflects the sign’s secretive and sometimes brooding side, while the sweet vermouth adds a touch of softness, hinting at Scorpio’s deep emotional undercurrents that they often keep hidden. The cocktail was invented as a riff on the Americano, when Florence’s Count Camillo Negroni, looking for a bit more oomph, asked the bartender at the now-defunct Caffè Casoni to sub the soda with gin. A bit more oomph is what you’ll get on a daily basis from any Scorpio, whether they’re dragging you along on an unnecessarily risky adventure or hitting you with their signature smoldering stare. At the end of the day, just like a Scorpio, the Negroni is bold, complex, and unforgettable–until you’ve had one too many of them.
SAGITTARIUS
The BOMBARDINO, a mix of brandy and eggnog-like zabaione topped with whipped cream, is the après-ski drink that’s as spirited as a Sag on a spontaneous trip to the Alps. The story goes that the concoction was invented in those very mountains, in a hotel in Livigno in 1974, by a group of friends who wanted to create something to warm up skiers and give them a big (big!) dose of energy. Well you know who’s always burning with energy? Sagittarius. These fire signs have a boundless enthusiasm for life, always ready to dive headfirst into the next adventure, whether it’s a spontaneous road trip, a new hobby, or a deep philosophical conversation at, ugh, 3 AM. Fueled by a relentless curiosity, their energy really does seem limitless—they’re the friends who’ll drag you out of bed at dawn for a hike, then keep the party going late into the night. Just like this winter warmer, Sagittarius brings the heat wherever they go, lighting up any room with their antics. And yes, both the bombardino and Sagittarius are a bit over the top, but leave you with a warmth that lingers long after the last sip.
CAPRICORN
These goats are the AMARETTO SOUR of the zodiac–a cocktail that uses lemon juice to cut through the sweetness of amaretto in the same ways Capricorns cut through bullsh*t. Amaretto, a sweet liqueur made from apricot pits or almonds, has roots in Saronno, Italy, where it’s been crafted since the Renaissance. Its rich, nutty flavors recalls the earthy, grounded nature of these, yes, earth signs. Like amaretto itself, Capricorns have a depth that’s steeped in tradition and hard work—they’re not ones to chase fleeting trends! To make the sour, amaretto is shaken with fresh lemon juice and egg white until frothy and velvety, turning the digestivo into a cocktail of surprising polish. Capricorns’ sharp intellect and no-nonsense approach also bring structure to any situation; it’s always a good idea to look to Capricorn during a crisis. That said, they always get things done with a flair that’s uniquely their own, and the amaretto sour, with a deep sweet-sour flavor, really isn’t like any others of its class. Capricorns really do know how to bring just enough playfulness to keep things interesting.
AQUARIUS
The AMERICANO, Campari and sweet vermouth topped with sparkling water, has always been a bit of an outsider in the world of classic cocktails–and an Aquarius loves to stand apart from the crowd. Pushing boundaries and defying norms are Aquarius’ prime pastimes, and the Americano origin story–which dates back to Milan’s Caffè Campari in the 1860s–comes from a similar place. An American customer, expecting Campari to be a long drink, was disappointed with his order (so Aquarius to always have something to say) and suggested it would be better served chilled and fizzy. He then requested a Campari and soda, finding this drink too bitter (okay, Goldilocks). After a few adjustments, he and the skilled bartender landed on the perfect blend: Campari mixed with Vermouth–at the time, as unconventional as these air signs. The combo, however, reflects Aquarius’ ability to blend contrasting ideas into something harmonious and refreshingly original. That American might as well have been an Aquarius, the visionary of the zodiac, for the innovative drink now has a firm place in Italy’s cocktail canon… but without being mainstream–phew!
PISCES
Known for their deep emotional depth, intuition, and an almost otherworldly sensitivity to beauty and art, Pisces are none other than the BELLINI. With its soft, pastel color and delicate blend of peach purée and Prosecco, the Bellini is as gentle and poetic as a Pisces. It’s therefore quite fitting that the drink was invented in dreamy Venice–a city as dependent on water as these fishies. In 1948, Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry’s Bar, settled upon the perfect two-to-one ratio of Prosecco and peach purèe; he named the drink after Renaissance master-painter Giovanni Bellini, as the drink’s pink hues resembled those often used in his paintings. How romantic and Piscean! Ruled by Neptune, Pisces are the most artistic of the zodiac, and their creations often carry an oneiric quality, blending reality with fantasy, and reflecting their tendency to see beyond the surface of things. To encapsulate a whole artistic philosophy into a drink, as Cipriani did, follows the Pisces penchant for tapping into the unseen and translating it into something tangible and beautiful.
