Bellini cocktail
In 1948, Giuseppe Cipriani, the head bartender and owner of an artists’ café in Venice, the famous and original Harry's Bar, mixed one third white peach juice with fresh fruit pulp with two thirds Prosecco sparkling spumante and a touch of raspberry juice. The Bellini cocktail was born, and it is not the same, or as good, if made with Champagne which has become popular in some places. I have heard it said the Bellini was named after the painter Giovanni Bellini, but also that it was named for Vincenzo Bellini the composer, I don't know the truth. The cocktail was made famous by Hemmingway who frequented the bar, as did other celebrities including Orson Welles and Truman Capote. The Bar is still famous and still attracting celebrities; it hides behind an unpretentious door just off the waterfront by St Marks. It may be unpretentious, but it is very expensive and they don't like you to be dressed with too much informality; shorts are not welcome, dress smart or smart casual!
