Mezzo e Mezzo

Name: Mezzo e Mezzo
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz Mezzoemezzo Nardini; 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz Soda Water; 1 piece Lemon Peel

Ingredients Instructions

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 oz
A specific blend of rhubarb liqueur and other aperitifs. Can be substituted with another Rabarbaro (rhubarb) amaro like Zucca.
Soda Water90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
Highly carbonated and chilled is best. Can also be made with Seltz.
Lemon Peel1 piece
For 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.