Discover the Angelo Azzurro Cocktail: History and Recipe

When it comes to cocktails, Italy offers a rich tradition to explore. If you want to treat your guests to a taste of Italian cocktail culture, the Angelo Azzurro is an ideal option. Angelo Azzurro, means “blue angel” in Italian. With alluring blue hues and refreshing flavors, the Angelo Azzurro cocktail provides a sweet yet bitter experience. In this article, you will uncover the history behind this drink and learn how to mix up the perfect Angelo Azzurro.

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The History and Origins of the Angelo Azzurro Cocktail

There’s no like official story of where the Angelo Azzurro cocktail came from or the original recipe. Some people think it was named after that old Marlene Dietrich movie called The Blue Angel. According to some, the Angelo Azzurro cocktail is nothing other than the Italian version of the Blue Lagoon. Others say it was meant to really get you up in the clouds, considering how much booze is in a Blue Angel! With how strong it is, I can see why it might give someone the feeling of taking off, you know? Anyway, seems like no one really knows for sure where it got its name or original formula.

International Fame and Variations

The Angelo Azzurro cocktail recipe is straightforward to prepare, requiring only gin, Blue Curacao liqueur and triple sec. The strong aroma of gin blends with subtle undertones of charred orange from the two citrus-based liqueurs. While the flavor profile is not extraordinarily complex, the vivid visual presentation inspires imagination and invites casual indulgence.

Today, the Angelo Azzurro is well known around the world, with each region and bartender interpreting the recipe in their own way. The original recipe remains largely unchanged but variations have emerged, such as the White Angelo Azzurro which substitutes vodka for gin.

How to Make a Perfect Angelo Azzurro Cocktail

To craft an authentic Angelo Azzurro, you will need the following ingredients:

Ice
1/3 oz or 1 cl lemon juice — Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, tart flavor to balance the sweetness of the Blue Curaçao.
1 1/3 oz or 4 cl gin — You can choose an Italian gin, such as Malfy or Villa Ascenti gin. London dry gin can also work well.
2/3 oz or 2 cl triple sec — Triple sec is a popular orange-flavored liqueur. It is a clear, strong, and sweet spirit made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges. The “triple sec” name refers to the triple distillation process that was traditionally used to produce the liqueur. Triple sec has a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor profile, adding a bright and zesty orange essence to drinks. You can use it in classic cocktails like Margaritas, Cosmopolitans, and Long Island Iced Teas to enhance the flavor and provide a hint of sweetness.
A splash of Blue Curaçao — A orange-flavored liqueur that provides the signature blue color.

Angelo Azzurro Instructions:

To prepare this cocktail, first chill a glass (Martini glass or rock glass) by adding three ice cubes to it. Next, squeeze a lemon to extract its juice and filter out any pulp or seeds. Add the ice cubes to a cocktail shaker along with the gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and Blue Curaçao liqueur. Shake the ingredients vigorously in the shaker. Once chilled and mixed, pour the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass, filtering out any remaining ice or pulp. Enjoy your cocktail!

Word of warning though — this thing packs a punch with the alcohol so go easy. And whatever you do, don’t even think about getting behind the wheel after drinking it!