Bellini
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 6.1% ABV ∙
The Bellini is an Italian sparkling cocktail of Prosecco and white peach purée, stirred and served in a flute.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour Peach purée 50 ml into the mixing glass with ice, add Prosecco extra dry 100 ml
- Stir gently and strain into the chilled flute glass
- Note: Puccini – fresh mandarin orange juice; Rossini – fresh strawberry puree; Tintoretto – fresh pomegranate juice
Tips
- Chill the Prosecco and peach purée beforehand so a brief, gentle stir over ice is enough and the wine keeps its bubbles.
- Make the purée from ripe white peaches and strain it smooth; stringy pulp flattens the bubbles.
History
The Bellini was created at Harry's Bar in Venice by its founder, Giuseppe Cipriani, generally dated to 1948, though some accounts place its creation as early as 1934. Cipriani mixed Prosecco with white peach purée and named the drink after the 15th-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini, whom he felt the cocktail's pink hue evoked.
The drink began as a seasonal specialty tied to the short white peach harvest before a Frenchman began shipping purée to Harry's Bar and its New York counterpart, allowing it to be served year-round. This IBA-listed version follows Cipriani's original pairing of Prosecco and white peach purée.
FAQ
What is a Bellini cocktail made of?
Two ingredients: 100 ml extra-dry Prosecco and 50 ml white peach purée. The purée adds body and a soft pink hue without taking over the wine.
What kind of alcohol is in a Bellini?
Only Prosecco extra dry, an Italian sparkling wine; there is no added spirit or liqueur. That keeps the drink light, at about 6.1% ABV.
Is a Bellini just a peach mimosa?
No. A Bellini is Prosecco with white peach purée, while a Mimosa is sparkling wine with orange juice. The purée also gives the Bellini a thicker, smoother texture than the thinner citrus juice in a Mimosa.
Is a Bellini very alcoholic?
No. Its only alcohol is the Prosecco, and the peach purée dilutes it, so it is weaker than a glass of the same sparkling wine.
How do you make a Bellini at home?
Pour 50 ml white peach purée into a mixing glass with ice, add 100 ml extra-dry Prosecco, stir gently, and strain into a chilled flute. Chill both first, so a brief stir is enough and the wine keeps its bubbles.
