The Bicicletta: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

The Bicicletta is one of Italy’s most charmingly simple aperitivo cocktails—and one of its most misunderstood. Built on just three ingredients (bitter aperitivo, white wine, soda water), the Bicicletta is older than the Aperol Spritz, more rustic than the Americano, and deeply tied to Northern Italy’s café and cycling culture. It’s the drink you’d find in a sleepy Lombard village at golden hour: refreshing, subtly bitter, and relaxed in a way that only truly local cocktails ever are.

I. Origins

Born in Lombardy: A Spritz Before Spritzes

The Bicicletta is believed to have originated in Northern Italy—most commonly associated with Lombardy, though Veneto and Emilia-Romagna also claim variations. What makes the drink notable is that it predates the modern spritz boom: before Prosecco became the standard sparkling component of aperitivo cocktails, Italians often mixed white table wine with bitter liqueurs and a splash of soda.

This wine-based cocktail wasn’t meant to be glamorous. It wasn’t branded. It wasn’t photographed. It was—and still is—an everyday village drink.

Why “Bicicletta”?

According to one of the most charming pieces of Italian bar lore, the drink got its name because:

Older men would wobble home on their bicycles after one too many of these refreshing, deceptively strong aperitivi.

Simple, local white wine + Campari or Select + soda = a drink that goes down easier than its strength suggests.

Another interpretation proposes that the cocktail’s color—light ruby from the bitter aperitivo—looked like a bicycle reflector in the late afternoon sun.

Regardless of which story you prefer, the Bicicletta is inextricably tied to small-town Italy, leisurely rides, and everyday aperitivo culture.

A Snapshot of the Early Recipe

The earliest versions of the Bicicletta were made with:

• inexpensive local white wine (Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Soave)

• Campari or a regional bitter

• soda water from the siphon

No Prosecco, no glamour, no orange wheel required—just refreshment.

II. Historical Evolution

The Working-Class Aperitivo

The Bicicletta was never a high-society drink. It emerged from:

• bar counters in village cafés

• workers’ taverns

• cycling clubs

• tiny trattorias in Lombardy and Veneto

• low-ABV afternoon drinking culture

It was created for utility: a long, light, refreshing drink built from what was already on hand.

Rise of Aperitivo Culture

While the Americano and Spritz Veneziano were gaining traction in cities like Venice and Milan, the Bicicletta remained the countryside’s answer to hot afternoons and early-evening gatherings. Its ingredients were:

• cheaper than Prosecco

• available in every household

• flexible

• approachable

With time, urban bars began reintroducing the Bicicletta as a “heritage spritz”—a return to Italy’s pre-Prosecco roots.

The Modern Renaissance

In the 2010s and 2020s, as spritz culture exploded globally, bartenders and food writers began to explore older, simpler aperitivo formats. The Bicicletta resurfaced as:

• a low-ABV option

• a wine-forward spritz alternative

• an aesthetic, rustic aperitivo

• a cocktail deeply tied to regional identity

Its charm lies in its humility: a spritz made not for tourists, but for locals.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Bicicletta is deceptively simple. Its character is shaped entirely by the quality of its ingredients.

1. The Bitter

The classic choice is:

• Campari — bold, iconic, citrusy-bitter

But historically accurate and locally favored options include:

• Select Aperitivo — more herbal, Venetian

• Cappelletti — rustic, wine-based, softer sweetness

• Contratto Bitter — elegant, refined, botanical

Each gives the Bicicletta a subtly different personality.

2. White Wine

This is the defining component. Use:

• dry, crisp, inexpensive white wine

• Italian varietals for authenticity

Excellent options include:

• Soave

• Pinot Grigio

• Trebbiano

• Verdicchio

• Garganega

Avoid heavy or oaky wines—freshness is key.

3. Soda Water

Just enough soda to add:

• lift

• effervescence

• dilution

• refreshment

4. Garnish

Traditionally:

• Lemon twist or

• Orange slice

Modern bars tend to use orange for visual appeal.

5. Ice

Large, cold cubes to slow dilution and keep the drink crisp.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. The Bicycle as Symbol

Italy’s cycling culture is deeply woven into everyday life:

• weekend rides on country roads

• Giro d’Italia fandom

• village cycling clubs

• daily commutes by bike

The Bicicletta cocktail is, in a sense, a tribute to this national pastime—an aperitivo designed for the rhythm of small-town life.

2. A Drink for Everyday People

The Bicicletta’s identity is proudly humble:

• no premium Prosecco

• no high-society rituals

• no elaborate garnishes

It is the spritz of the people—refreshing, affordable, unfussy.

3. A Counterpoint to the Aperol Boom

As the Aperol Spritz became globalized, some Italians leaned further into regional alternatives. The Bicicletta provides:

• less sweetness

• more bitterness

• deeper cultural roots

• a rustic wine profile

It’s the spritz for drinkers who want something more authentic and less commercial.

4. Perfectly Food-Friendly

The Bicicletta pairs superbly with:

• salty snacks

• cicchetti

• cheese and charcuterie

• olives

• fried foods

• seafood small plates

It’s designed to refresh the palate without overpowering food.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Bicicletta

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) Campari (or Select/Cappelletti for regional variations)

• 3–4 oz (90–120 ml) dry white wine

• 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) soda water

• Garnish: lemon twist or orange wheel

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.

2. Add Campari (or your chosen bitter).

3. Add white wine.

4. Top with soda water.

5. Give one slow stir to integrate.

6. Garnish with a lemon twist or orange wheel.

Specs

• Glass: Wine glass or tumbler

• Ice: Full cubes

• Garnish: Orange wheel or lemon twist

• Style: Wine-based aperitivo spritz

Technique Notes

• Use fresh, chilled white wine—temperature matters.

• Don’t overpower the wine with too much soda.

• Campari gives the most iconic color.

• Select or Cappelletti will yield a softer, herbal profile.

Variations & Lineage

• Bicicletta Select: More herbal, Venetian.

• Bicicletta Cappelletti: Rustic, wine-based bitterness.

• Bicicletta Frizzante: Replace still wine with frizzante white wine.

• Rosato Bicicletta: Use rosé wine for a floral finish.

• Americano Bicicletta: Add a splash of vermouth for depth.

Service & Pairing Tip

Pairs beautifully with:

• olives

• salted almonds

• fried zucchini blossoms

• anchovy toasts

• bruschetta

• potato chips

Serve outdoors at golden hour—this is a terrace drink through and through.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Heritage Aperitivo for Today

As drinkers increasingly seek:

• low-ABV cocktails

• authentic regional drinks

• rustic wine-forward beverages

• less sweet spritzes

…the Bicicletta is experiencing a renaissance.

Why It Endures

• incredibly refreshing

• versatile

• inexpensive to make

• rooted in Italian tradition

• ideal for casual social drinking

• customizable with different bitters

The Bicicletta is proof that simplicity—when rooted in place and culture—can be timeless.