Bellini

The Bellini is a sophisticated and deceptively simple cocktail originating from Venice, Italy. It combines the crisp, bubbly nature of Prosecco with the sweet, fragrant flavor of fresh white peach purée. The drink is known for its delicate pink hue and its light, fruity character. It's a quintessential brunch and celebration drink, embodying Italian style and leisure.
Bellini

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Bellini is a classic cocktail, celebrated for its simplicity and elegance. It is often categorized as a brunch drink or an aperitif. Its composition of sparkling wine and fruit purée places it in the family of Champagne cocktails.

Serving

Served cold in a chilled Champagne flute, the Bellini is a light sparkling cocktail with a relatively low alcohol content.
Serving size
Approx. 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
Approx. 7-10% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Champagne flute
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

The Bellini was invented sometime between 1934 and 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the legendary Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy. He named the drink after the 15th-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini, because its unique pink color reminded him of the toga of a saint in one of Bellini's paintings. The cocktail quickly became a seasonal specialty, beloved by patrons like Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.
Origin
Venice, Italy, circa 1934-1948.

Bellini

The drink is consistently known as the Bellini, named after the 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. While variations exist, they usually have different names, such as the Rossini (strawberry) or Mimosa (orange). The name "Bellini" itself is not commonly substituted.
Original name
Bellini

Characteristics overview

This is a refreshing, bubbly cocktail with the sweet aroma and flavor of fresh peaches, balanced by the crispness of Prosecco. Its appearance is a beautiful, cloudy pinkish-orange, with a light and smooth texture.
Flavor
Peachy, fruity, sweet, crisp, light
Aroma
Fresh peach, floral, yeasty notes from Prosecco
Taste balance
Sweet, slightly tart
Aftertaste
Clean, short, fruity
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Opaque, pale pinkish-orange, cloudy
Texture
Smooth, slightly pulpy, light
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Bellini is dominated by a high level of fruitiness and carbonation, with moderate sweetness and a light alcohol presence. It has no salty, spicy, or creamy notes, making it a very clean and focused drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail is elegantly simple, requiring just two primary ingredients: fresh white peach purée and chilled Prosecco. A touch of raspberry juice or peach liqueur is sometimes added for color.
  • White Peach Purée50 ml / 1.75 oz
    Traditionally made from fresh, ripe white peaches. Avoid using yellow peaches as the flavor profile is different.
  • Prosecco100 ml / 3.5 oz
    Must be well-chilled. Any dry Italian sparkling wine works, but Prosecco is traditional.
  • Peach Schnapps or raspberry juiceA few drops(optional)
    Sometimes added to enhance the pink color, though not part of the original recipe.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

No shaker is needed; just a bar spoon is required to gently mix the ingredients directly in the serving glass to preserve the bubbles.
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring

Instructions

To make a Bellini, simply pour chilled white peach purée into a chilled flute, slowly top with Prosecco, and stir gently. Garnish with a peach slice and serve immediately.
1. Ensure both your peach purée and Prosecco are well-chilled before you begin. Also, chill your Champagne flute.
2. Pour the white peach purée into the bottom of the chilled Champagne flute.
3. Slowly top with the chilled Prosecco. Pouring slowly and at an angle will help prevent it from fizzing over.
4. Stir very gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
5. Garnish with a fresh peach slice on the rim, if desired.
6. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple slice of fresh white peach on the rim of the glass is the classic and most fitting garnish.
  • Peach slice on the rim of the glass

Dietary Information

This drink is typically free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is also caffeine-free, vegetarian, and usually vegan, though it's wise to check the fining agents used in the Prosecco if strict veganism is a concern.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The Bellini is a relatively light cocktail, with around 100-120 calories per serving. Most of its carbohydrates and sugars come naturally from the peach purée and the Prosecco.
Calories
Approximately 100-120 kcal / 418-502 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Bellini is perfect for celebratory occasions like weddings and holidays, and is a staple at brunch. Its light and refreshing nature also makes it an excellent aperitif or a delightful drink for a summer afternoon.
  • Brunch
  • Celebrations
  • Aperitif
  • Summer party
  • Wedding reception

Pairing suggestions

The Bellini pairs beautifully with classic brunch foods like eggs Benedict and light pastries. Its fruity sweetness also complements salty appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon or savory bruschetta. It is a fantastic accompaniment to fresh fruit platters.
  • Prosciutto and melon
  • Light pastries
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Fresh fruit salads
  • Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes

The Bellini: Venetian Elegance in a Glass

The Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail that epitomizes elegance and simplicity. Born in the famous Harry's Bar in Venice, it consists of just two main ingredients: sweet white peach purée and crisp, sparkling Prosecco. Its beautiful pale pink color, refreshing taste, and light effervescence make it a timeless choice for brunch, celebrations, or as a sophisticated aperitif. The key to a perfect Bellini lies in using high-quality, fresh ingredients, particularly ripe white peaches.

Similar cocktails

Mimosa

Uses orange juice instead of peach purée.

Rossini

Uses fresh strawberry purée instead of peach purée.

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