La Dolce Vita cocktail recipe

Ah, La Dolce Vita – or ‘the sweet life’ in English. It is an aim, a lifestyle and, as the youth say (we think?), very “hashtag goals”. But did you know it’s also a tasty cocktail? That’s right, you can drink La Dolce Vita while living La Dolce Vita. That’s some Inception-type stuff right there.

As a relatively young cocktail, there’s very little info on its beginnings. What we can tell you, though, is it was first mixed up in 2002 by Tony Conigliaro at Isola, London – a bartender famous enough to have his own Wikipedia entry – and it was delicious enough to still be featuring on our dining tables some 20 years later.

So, why do we love it (and why are we so sure you will too)? Mainly because it’s delicious. But, to be more precise, it's a beautifully complex, dry drink that is finished with a perfectly refreshing hit of bubbles.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be a little bit Italian? So hop on your Vespa, crack out the mortadella, and make like Sophia Loren. It’s aperitivo time and you’re serving La Dolce Vita.

This is another cocktail that involves very little prep and practically no effort at all. It’s a kind of dump-everything-in-a-wine-glass sort of drink, which is just what you want when you can be focusing your attention on the snacks and company.

Our top tip is not to overthink it. Toss in your ingredients, add your ice last, and give it a swirl. It’s truly that easy.

In fact, its simplicity makes it the ideal batch drink for serving your thirsty guests. Find a jug that can serve as a worthy centrepiece, multiply the ingredients by the number of guests, and mix up a delightful pre-dinner tipple. Goes exceptionally well with fresh focaccia, anchovies, and burrata.