Heaven in a Glass

DEAR SOON(ER) TO BE TRAVELER,

Imagine if you could get a whole bottle of wine for $5. After ordering a liter of wine with friends at dinner one night, this dream became a reality. Arezzo is located in the heart of Tuscan country, making the “house wine” comparable to the nicest wine at Benvenutis in Norman. I began to notice that other cocktails were also at a ridiculous discount compared to in America. Upon this epiphany, I began to try drinks that I normally wouldn’t back in the States.

After a few failed attempts, I discovered a vibrant orange cocktail that sizzled with excitement, an “Aperol Spritz.” Often described as an “Italian sunset” in a glass, the drink really does live up to this name. The Aperol liquor acts as an “aperitif,” meaning it is supposed to be consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This makes it the perfect aperitivo drink. The Ristorante Logge has the perfect Aperol Spritz. They will cut the oranges right in front of you and carefully craft the cocktail making it taste like heaven in a glass.

While this is completely American of me, having a taste of home was a necessity for me. The Dirty Rat is a safe haven for many University of Oklahoma students, because it feels almost like home away from home; they have traditional Italian cocktails laced in with drinks from the States. Naturally, a Texas native, I was desperately craving a margarita one night. Not to be dramatic, but the bartender at the Dirty Rat quite literally made Texas in a glass for me. Watching him freshly squeeze the limes was a sight for sore eyes. The drink was extremely fresh, crisp and salty. The rim of the chilled glass was carefully lined with salt.Cocktails are not included in our “Willy Wonka” tickets. Drinking is a large part of Italian culture in a way that is celebrated and not restricted like in America. While there is a technical legal drinking age in Italy, it was shocking to see that age is truly just a number here. It’s not a bad thing, just a cultural difference. Alcohol is consumed as a means of cohesiveness with friends, family and loved ones. Ciao for now!

BOOMER,

Arabella Blanc