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Best Turin Beverage Types
Cappuccino is an Italian coffee made with espresso and steam-foamed milk. It is believed that it developed from kapuziner—a coffee-based beverage that was enjoyed in Austrian coffee houses in the 18th century. The first mention of the word cappuccino in Italy dates back to the 1930s, but at the time the drink was topped with whipped cream, and later it gained its current form with the invention of the espresso machine.
Traditional Italian cappuccino is always served in small cups, which are occasionally pre-heated, and it is prepared by pulling a single or a double shot of espresso which is then topped with a light and frothy steamed milk. The recommended ratio in Italy is to have more froth than liquid.
Espresso is both the name of a coffee beverage and the method of brewing coffee that originated in Italy. Nowadays it is prepared worldwide with the espresso machine - invented in Turin in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo - by forcing a small amount of hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans.
The coffee used for espresso is blended from several roasts and as a result of pressurized brewing, the flavors of the beverage are very concentrated, with thick and almost syrupy texture. Consequently, espresso has more caffeine than other coffee beverages, so it is traditionally served as a shot.
VARIATIONS OF Espresso
THE BEST Espresso Coffees
Dating back to the 18th century, this classic beverage from Turin consists of an espresso that is layered with hot chocolate, and then topped with whipped cream. It is traditionally prepared and served in tall, clear glasses, and all three layers should be visible.
Although bicerin is enjoyed throughout Turin, Caffè Al Bicerin and Caffè Florio claim its origin. It is believed that its name stems from the term bicchierino, which is a diminutive of bicchiere (glass).
In the past known as bianchissimo (the whitest), Martini Bianco is a variety of sweetened dry vermouth—fortified and aromatized wine—that was first introduced in 1910. Although the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, Martini Bianco is made from filtered white wine that is sweetened and infused with different botanicals that include vanilla flowers, spices, herbs, citrus zest, barks, and roots.
This clear drink is characterized by its layered combination of flavors and aromas that include spicy, floral, citrus, and sweet vanilla notes. In Europe, Martini Bianco is usually enjoyed as an aperitif, preferably served neat with ice and orange peel.
Vermouth is a quintessential European aperitif. This sweetened and fortified wine is aromatized with various botanicals, and it is usually classified as red (sweet) or white (dry). The origin of vermouth is ancient and closely connected to wormwood wine, but the first official vermouth was produced in Turin by Antonio Benedetto Carpano.
He aromatized his wine with various herbs and spices and started selling his red vermouth in 1786. The drink became an instant success among the locals and has since only grown in popularity. In the years that followed, Joseph Noilly introduced the new French-style vermouth that is now mostly known as white or dry vermouth.
VARIATIONS OF Vermouth
THE BEST Vermouth Fortified Wines

Distilleria Sibona
Civico 10 Vermouth Di Torino Rosso Superiore
London Spirits Competition - Gold 2024
Hailing from Turin, this sweet Italian vermouth was created in the 1862s by Martini Rosso. It is made from wine that is infused with various botanicals such as plants, barks, or flowers. The macerate of the botanicals is added together with caramel, which gives the drink its distinguishing red color. Martini Rosso is slightly sweet, incredibly aromatic, and has a distinctive herbal finish that is accompanied by a subtle bitterness.
This common European aperitif, which is ideally served over ice, is best known for its use in cocktails, primarily the acclaimed Manhattan, Negroni, and Americano. The drink also pairs well with tonic and soda water.
The term sweet vermouth is generally associated with red Italian-style vermouth. Their red color is mostly gained with caramel-coloring, and the examples of the style are typically subtly bitter and usually sweeter than dry vermouth, while the aromas and the final taste profile are usually reminiscent of spices and stewed fruit.
Sweet vermouth is best known for its use in cocktails, and it makes the bases of some the classics, including Manhattan and Negroni. Some of the most popular brands include Martini Rosso, Carpano, and Cinzano Rosso. Officially, sweet vermouth can have a maximum of 15% sugar.
VARIATIONS OF Sweet Vermouth
This classic Italian vermouth is still made following the original recipe from 1786 that was created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano. It is one of the first modern vermouth versions. Praised for its exceptional quality, Carpano is characterized by its concentrated, bitter-sweet flavor and complex aromas reminiscent of vanilla, spices, dried fruit, and orange zest.
The base is made with wine sourced from Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, and Sicily, and although the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, it is known that some of the botanicals include Madagascar vanilla, Iranian saffron, and wormwood from Piedmont.
Although it works great on its own, preferably served on the rocks, it is also one of the best options for cocktails that call for sweet vermouth such as Manhattan and Negroni.
San Simone is a bittersweet Italian amaro hailing from Turin. Although the recipe is a closely guarded secret, it is known that some of the botanicals used for flavoring include gentian, rhubarb, and wormwood. Amaro San Simone was introduced in 1960.
It was created when Aldo Fechino bought the local pharmacy store in 1953. Among the medicines, there was a recipe for a health tonic that Fechino improved and made into a palatable drink, which soon caught on among the locals. The Turin monks allegedly invented the recipe.
Punt e mes is an Italian vermouth variety that is made with white wine and various herbs and spices. It is a clear, amber-colored drink with a herbaceous character and a distinctive bitter-sweet flavor. Punt e mes is often served over ice, usually with a splash of soda and an orange twist.
It is also used in cocktails such as Negroni, Manhattan, and Americano. This bitter vermouth was allegedly invented in 1870 at the Carpano bar in Turin when a customer asked for a vermouth with a kick of bitter quinine-based liqueur. The name has its origin in a stockbroker term, meaning a point and a half.
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Best Turin Beverage Producers
Explora Gin is an Italian brand founded by brothers Giovanni and Davide Marazita, driven by their shared passion for distillation and exploring diverse cultures. Established in Torino, Italy, Explora Gin is committed to crafting high-quality spirits that celebrate the harmony and diversity of botanicals sourced from around the world.
The brand prides itself on a meticulous production process, using only 100% natural ingredients and following traditional distillation methods. Each product is designed as an "Experience," representing a sensory journey inspired by the Marazita brothers' explorations.
Lavazza is one of the world's most renowned coffee brands, synonymous with quality, tradition, and innovation in Italian coffee culture. Founded in 1895 in Turin, Italy, by Luigi Lavazza, the company has grown from a small grocery store into a global leader in coffee production, operating in over 140 countries.
Lavazza is known for its expert blending techniques, carefully selecting the finest Arabica and Robusta beans from top coffee-growing regions, including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. With over 125 years of expertise, the brand continuously innovates, offering a diverse range of products, from traditional espresso blends to sustainable single-origin coffees and state-of-the-art coffee machines.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
Zoppi Distillery is an urban micro-distillery based in Turin, Italy, founded by master distiller Dennis Zoppi. Specializing in high-quality artisanal spirits, the distillery produces a diverse range including vermouth, gin, bitters, and amari. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, Zoppi Distillery emphasizes innovation in flavor and quality.
The distillery also offers custom production services, allowing clients to create unique spirits tailored to their needs.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver
2024
BEST Zoppi Distillery Spirits
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 13 Local Beverages in Turin” list until April 17, 2025, 1,171 ratings were recorded, of which 951 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.