Milano TorinoCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Milano Torino is a minimalist Italian aperitivo built on a simple, equal-parts pairing: bitter aperitif and sweet vermouth. You’ll often see it discussed in the same family as the Americano and Negroni—drinks that celebrate the Northern Italian taste for bittersweet, pre-dinner sippers—though this version keeps things stripped back and spirit-free, letting the aromatised wine and aperitif do all the talking.
Expect a bright, gently bitter opening from Aperol, with its orange-leaning sweetness and herbal edge setting the tone. Red vermouth brings a deeper, winey sweetness and a soft spice-like richness that rounds the bitterness rather than fighting it. Together they land in a balanced bittersweet zone: light, aromatic, and pleasantly lingering, with the vermouth’s warmth smoothing Aperol’s snap.
This is a natural choice when you want an easygoing aperitif before dinner, especially if you’re in the mood for something lower-key but still grown-up and complex. Serve it over ice in a rocks glass for a relaxed, slow-sipping drink that suits warm evenings, casual catch-ups, and anyone who likes their cocktails more bittersweet than sugary.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Aperol leads with bright, bittersweet orange and gentian-like bite, while red vermouth brings plush grape sweetness, herbal spice, and a lightly oxidized richness that rounds the edges. The equal-parts build works because the vermouth’s sweetness cushions Aperol’s bitterness without smothering it, ideal for aperitivo drinkers who like gentle bitterness and aromatic depth in a short pour.
Method
How to make a Milano Torino
- Aperol 30ml, Red vermouth 30ml
-
- Begin by stirring all the ingredients together with ice in a mixing glass for about 10-15 seconds, ensuring they are well-combined
-
- Then, softly strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice, preferably a large chunk of block ice, to keep your drink colder for longer without diluting it too quickly
Power tips
Elevate the Milano Torino with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Consider using a large ice sphere or block to keep the cocktail cold longer without quick dilution.
- Stir the drink longer than usual, about 30-40 seconds, to fully integrate the flavors and achieve the perfect dilution.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Strain ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Milano Torino cocktail?
The Milano Torino cocktail has its roots in the early 20th century Italy, named after the cities Milan (Milano) and Turin (Torino). Milan is famous for its bitter liqueurs, exemplified by Aperol, while Turin is renowned for its sweet red vermouths. The cocktail celebrates the combination of these two iconic Italian flavors.
Why is it called Milano Torino?
It is called Milano Torino as a nod to the origins of its two primary ingredients. Aperol, representing Milan (Milano), and red vermouth, representing Turin (Torino), come together to create a cocktail that captures the essence of these two Italian cities. The name literally points to the geographical home of the ingredients.
How do you serve a Milano Torino?
A Milano Torino is typically served in a lowball glass, over ice. It is neither shaken nor stirred, but the two ingredients – Aperol and red vermouth – are poured directly into the glass over ice and gently mixed by briefly stirring. The cocktail is then garnished with a slice of orange or lemon peel to enhance its aromatic profile.
Can I make a Milano Torino if I don't have Aperol?
While Aperol is the traditional choice for Milano Torino, you can substitute it with another type of bitter aperitif if you don't have Aperol. Campari is a popular alternative that will give the cocktail a slightly different flavor profile, being more bitter than Aperol. The essence of the drink remains, focusing on the contrast between the bitter and the sweet vermouth.
Is Milano Torino a good cocktail for those who prefer less alcoholic drinks?
Yes, the Milano Torino is relatively low in alcohol content, with an alcohol content of 13.5%. Its total volume is 60ml, making it a good choice for those who prefer less potent cocktails. Its balanced taste of bitter and sweet, combined with the lower alcohol content, makes it a pleasant drink for various occasions without being overly intoxicating.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this bold mix of mezcal and tequila.
Banderilla
Mezcal, Tequila blanco, Apricot brandy, Aperol, Lime juice
Discover this deep fusion of bourbon and bitters.
Shade Thrower
Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Discover this vibrant blend of grapefruit and gin
Old Friend
Dry gin, Aperol, Elderflower liqueur, Pink grapefruit juice
Enjoy this bubbly orange Italian classic.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, Champagne / prosecco, Soda water
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments