If you've been scrolling through Instagram lately, you've probably spotted them: tall, elegant glasses filled with bubbly prosecco and topped with colorful garnishes. Welcome to the world of prosecchini, the Italian-inspired cocktail that's become the unofficial drink of weekend brunches everywhere.
Think of a prosecchini as prosecco's more adventurous cousin. While a classic mimosa sticks to orange juice and champagne, prosecchini opens up a whole playground of flavors. The name itself is a playful mashup of "prosecco" and "martini," though these drinks are nothing like your typical martini. Instead, they're light, bubbly, and infinitely customizable.
What Exactly Is a Prosecchini?
At its core, a prosecchini is a cocktail built on prosecco, Italy's beloved sparkling wine. The beauty of this drink lies in its simplicity. You start with chilled prosecco and add a splash of liqueur, fresh juice, or flavored syrup. The result is a refreshing, celebratory drink that feels fancy without requiring a bartending degree.
Unlike heavier cocktails that can weigh you down, prosecchini drinks are light and effervescent. The bubbles from the prosecco keep everything lively, while the added ingredients bring depth and complexity. Whether you're hosting a garden party or just want to make Tuesday feel special, a prosecchini fits the bill.
The drink has become particularly popular in the UK, where brunch culture has exploded over the past decade. At pledgeapint, we've noticed more people looking for creative ways to enjoy prosecco beyond the traditional glass.
The Origins of Prosecchini
While the exact origin story is a bit murky, prosecchini cocktails emerged from the broader trend of prosecco-based drinks. As prosecco gained popularity in the early 2000s, bartenders and home mixologists started experimenting with ways to dress it up.
The Italians have long enjoyed prosecco with various additions, from a splash of Aperol to fresh fruit purees. The prosecchini concept simply gave these variations a catchy name and brought them into the mainstream cocktail conversation.
What makes prosecchini different from other prosecco cocktails is the emphasis on simplicity and elegance. You won't find complicated techniques or obscure ingredients here. The focus is on quality prosecco paired with complementary flavors that enhance rather than mask the wine's natural characteristics.
Why Prosecchini Has Become So Popular
Several factors have contributed to the prosecchini phenomenon:
Affordability: Prosecco is significantly cheaper than champagne, making it an accessible option for regular entertaining. You can create impressive cocktails without breaking the bank.
Versatility: The neutral, slightly sweet profile of prosecco works with countless flavor combinations. From fruity to herbal to floral, the possibilities are endless.
Instagram Appeal: Let's be honest, these drinks photograph beautifully. The bubbles, the colors, the elegant glassware—prosecchini cocktails are made for social media.
Brunch Culture: As bottomless brunch became a weekend institution, venues needed more variety than just mimosas and Bellinis. Prosecchini fit perfectly into this niche.
Lower Alcohol Content: Compared to spirit-forward cocktails, prosecchini drinks are lighter, making them ideal for daytime drinking or when you want to pace yourself.
Classic Prosecchini Recipes to Try
Here are some popular variations that showcase the versatility of prosecchini cocktails:
Elderflower Prosecchini
This might be the most popular version. Simply add a splash of elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) to your prosecco and garnish with fresh mint or a lemon twist. The floral notes complement the prosecco beautifully without overwhelming it.
Berry Prosecchini
Muddle fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries work great) in the bottom of your glass, add a touch of simple syrup if needed, then top with prosecco. The natural fruit flavors create a refreshing, lightly sweet cocktail.
Limoncello Prosecchini
Add a shot of limoncello to prosecco for an instant taste of the Italian coast. This version is bright, citrusy, and perfect for warm weather.
Aperol Prosecchini
Similar to an Aperol Spritz but with less Aperol and no soda water. The bitter-sweet orange flavor adds complexity while letting the prosecco shine.
How to Make the Perfect Prosecchini
Creating a great prosecchini isn't complicated, but a few tips will help you nail it every time:
| Element | Recommendation |
| Prosecco | Use a dry (brut) or extra dry prosecco. Avoid sweet versions unless your recipe specifically calls for it. |
| Temperature | Everything should be cold. Chill your prosecco, your mixers, and ideally your glasses too. |
| Proportions | Keep it mostly prosecco. A good rule is 4 parts prosecco to 1 part mixer. |
| Glassware | Champagne flutes or wine glasses work best. They preserve the bubbles and look elegant. |
| Garnishes | Fresh herbs, citrus twists, or edible flowers add visual appeal and aroma. |
The key is balance. You want the added flavors to complement the prosecco, not drown it out. Start with less mixer than you think you need and add more if desired.
Choosing the Right Prosecco
Not all prosecco is created equal, and the quality of your base ingredient matters. For prosecchini cocktails, you don't need top-shelf bottles, but avoid the absolute cheapest options.
Look for prosecco DOC or the higher-quality Prosecco Superiore DOCG. These designations indicate the wine comes from specific regions in Italy and meets certain production standards. Brands like La Marca, Ruffino, and Zonin are widely available and offer good value.
The sweetness level matters too. Most prosecco is labeled as:
- Brut: Very dry, minimal sugar
- Extra Dry: Slightly sweet (confusingly, sweeter than brut)
- Dry: Noticeably sweet
For most prosecchini recipes, brut or extra dry works best. The slight sweetness of extra dry prosecco can actually be nice if you're using tart mixers like citrus juice.
Serving Prosecchini at Events
Prosecchini cocktails are brilliant for entertaining. They're impressive but easy to scale up for groups. Here's how to make serving them at parties stress-free:
Prepare your mixers ahead of time. If you're making berry prosecchini, muddle your berries and keep them ready. For elderflower versions, measure out the liqueur into individual glasses before guests arrive.
Consider creating a prosecchini bar where guests can customize their drinks. Set out different liqueurs, fresh juices, herbs, and garnishes. Provide simple instructions and let people experiment.
If you're serving a crowd, you can even batch certain elements. Mix your base ingredients (everything except the prosecco) in a pitcher, then top individual glasses with prosecco just before serving. This preserves the bubbles while speeding up service.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though prosecchini cocktails are simple, there are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
Over-mixing: Don't stir too vigorously. Gentle mixing preserves the bubbles that make these drinks special.
Using flat prosecco: Once opened, prosecco loses its fizz quickly. Use it the same day for best results.
Too much mixer: Remember, prosecco should be the star. Your additions should enhance, not dominate.
Wrong temperature: Warm prosecco is never good. Everything should be properly chilled.
Complicated recipes: The beauty of prosecchini is simplicity. Don't overthink it with too many ingredients.
The Social Side of Prosecchini
There's something inherently social about prosecchini cocktails. Maybe it's the bubbles, maybe it's the pretty presentation, or maybe it's just that they're often enjoyed in groups. Whatever the reason, these drinks have become synonymous with celebration and connection.
At pledgeapint, we appreciate how drinks can bring people together. Whether you're raising a prosecchini at a wedding reception or clinking glasses at a casual Sunday brunch, these cocktails facilitate moments of joy and connection.
The trend also reflects a broader shift in drinking culture. People want drinks that are Instagram-worthy but not overly fussy, celebratory but not stuffy. Prosecchini fits that sweet spot perfectly.
Beyond Brunch: When to Drink Prosecchini
While prosecchini has become a brunch staple, there's no rule saying you can't enjoy it at other times. These cocktails work beautifully as:
- Aperitifs: Serve before dinner to stimulate appetites
- Garden party drinks: Perfect for outdoor summer gatherings
- Wedding cocktails: Elegant and easy to serve to large groups
- New Year's celebrations: A festive alternative to straight champagne
- Girls' night in: Fun to make and customize with friends
The light alcohol content and refreshing nature make prosecchini appropriate for almost any casual to semi-formal occasion.
Final Thoughts
Prosecchini represents everything good about modern cocktail culture. It's accessible, adaptable, and genuinely enjoyable. You don't need expensive equipment, rare ingredients, or expert skills to create something delicious.
The next time you're planning to entertain or just want to make an ordinary day feel a bit special, consider mixing up a prosecchini. Start with a basic recipe, then let your taste preferences guide you. The worst that can happen is you end up with a glass of slightly flavored prosecco, which is hardly a disaster.
Whether you stick with classic elderflower or venture into creative territory with herbs and seasonal fruits, prosecchini cocktails offer an easy entry point into home bartending. They prove that sophisticated drinks don't have to be complicated, and that sometimes the simplest combinations are the most satisfying.