Mezzo e Mezzo
The Mezzo e Mezzo is a beloved aperitif originating from Bassano del Grappa, Italy, and is the signature drink of the Grapperia Nardini. Its name, meaning "half and half," refers to the classic preparation of mixing Mezzoemezzo Nardini liqueur with soda water. The result is a wonderfully refreshing and complex highball with notes of rhubarb, orange, and bitter herbs. It’s a perfect example of Italian drinking culture, where simplicity and quality ingredients create an exceptional experience.
Preparation
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Mezzo e Mezzo is a classic Italian aperitif, typically served in the style of a highball. It's a pre-dinner drink designed to stimulate the appetite. Its straightforward two-ingredient nature makes it a quintessential example of simple, refreshing Italian cocktails.
Serving
This is a cold, refreshing highball served over ice in a tall glass, with a moderate ABV of around 11%. It's a simple, elegant drink that requires minimal preparation.
Serving size
Approximately 180-210 ml / 6-7 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-12% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball or Rocks glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The drink was created by the Nardini family, Italy's oldest distillery, founded in 1779. They created a unique aperitivo by blending their Rabarbaro (rhubarb) liqueur with their Rosso liqueur. When served, it was mixed "half and half" with soda water at their Grapperia al Ponte, leading to the name "Mezzo e Mezzo." It quickly became a local institution and a symbol of Italian aperitivo culture.
Origin
Bassano del Grappa, Veneto, Italy. Created by the Nardini distillery, with its popularity growing throughout the 20th century.
Mezzo e Mezzo
The drink is most famously known as "Mezzo e Mezzo," which translates to "half and half." It is sometimes written as one word, "Mezzoemezzo." The name is strongly associated with its producer, Nardini, who trademarked the name for their specific aperitivo blend used to make the drink.
Original name
Mezzo e Mezzo
Alternative names
- Mezzoemezzo
- Mezzo e Mezzo Nardini
Characteristics overview
The Mezzo e Mezzo is a visually striking dark brown, bubbly highball with a pronounced bittersweet flavor profile dominated by rhubarb and citrus. Its aroma is herbal and zesty, leading to a long, clean, and pleasantly bitter finish that is exceptionally refreshing.
Flavor
Bittersweet, Rhubarb, Orange zest, Herbal, Earthy, Refreshing
Aroma
Rhubarb, Citrus, Gentian, Licorice
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Long, Pleasantly bitter, Herbal, Clean
Fizziness
Effervescent, Bubbly
Color appearance
Dark brown, Mahogany, Clear
Texture
Light, Crisp, Watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is defined by a strong, pleasant bitterness balanced by a subtle sweetness and fruity notes. It is a highly carbonated and refreshing drink with a light alcohol presence.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This is a simple two-ingredient drink, requiring only the specific Mezzoemezzo Nardini liqueur and soda water. A fresh lemon peel for garnish is essential to complete the drink.
- Mezzoemezzo Nardini60 ml / 2 ozA specific blend of rhubarb liqueur and other aperitifs. Can be substituted with another Rabarbaro (rhubarb) amaro like Zucca.
- Soda Water90-120 ml / 3-4 ozHighly carbonated and chilled is best. Can also be made with Seltz.
- Lemon Peel1 pieceFor garnish.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed beyond a glass and a bar spoon. This is a built-in-the-glass cocktail, making it incredibly easy to prepare.
- Bar spoon for gentle stirring
Instructions
This drink is built directly in the glass by pouring the liqueur over ice, topping with soda, stirring gently, and garnishing. The entire process takes less than two minutes.
1. Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour 60 ml (2 oz) of Mezzoemezzo Nardini over the ice.
3. Top with 90-120 ml (3-4 oz) of chilled soda water.
4. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine.
5. Express the oils from a lemon peel over the glass and drop it in as a garnish.
Garnishing
A simple twist of lemon peel is the traditional and perfect garnish. The aromatic oils from the peel brighten the drink and complement its bittersweet flavors.
- Lemon Peel: Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the top of the drink and drop it in.
Dietary Information
This drink is naturally free from all major allergens, including dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
The Mezzo e Mezzo is relatively low in calories, with most coming from the liqueur's alcohol and sugar content. It contains around 16 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 140-160 kcal / 586-670 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-18 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is the quintessential aperitif, perfect for enjoying before a meal to awaken the palate. Its refreshing nature also makes it ideal for warm weather sipping or casual social gatherings.
- Aperitivo hour
- Pre-dinner drink
- Summer afternoon
- Casual get-together
Pairing suggestions
As a classic aperitivo, the Mezzo e Mezzo is designed to be paired with light, savory snacks known as 'cicchetti' or 'stuzzichini'. Its bitterness cuts through fatty and salty foods beautifully, making it an ideal companion for olives, cured meats, and hard cheeses.
- Salty snacks (potato chips, olives)
- Cured meats (prosciutto, salami)
- Hard cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- Simple bruschetta
Mezzo e Mezzo: The Soul of Italian Aperitivo
The Mezzo e Mezzo is a testament to Italian simplicity and elegance in a glass. This iconic aperitif from Nardini combines a unique bittersweet rhubarb liqueur with sparkling soda water for a refreshingly complex highball. It is incredibly easy to make, yet its deep, layered flavors of citrus, herbs, and rhubarb offer a sophisticated drinking experience. Perfect for stimulating the appetite before a meal, it embodies the relaxed and stylish culture of the Italian aperitivo.
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