Aperol

Invented by the Barbieri brothers of Padua in 1919, and named after the French slang, apero for aperitif, this bright orange aperitivo is made with sweet and bitter oranges and herbs, and resembles Campari—although Aperol has half as much alcohol.

The Austrians, who were given Venice and the Veneto after Napoleon defeated the Serenissima, were the ones who introduced spritz (German for 'splash') into the local language, when they took to watering the local wine.

The Aperol spritz became Italy's most popular cocktail in the late 20th century, and is still a summer favourite: just take three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, add a splash of soda and half a slice of orange and ice.