He’ll pretend he doesn’t care about birthdays, right up until someone pours. Six drinks, a little bitter, a little grown‑up, each starting with a cold bottle of Bella Principessa.
Which Prosecco for his birthday?
The Gold for the bitter drinks he likes; the Pink if someone else is choosing. Both Brut.
By Michael Goldstein · 5 min read
As he arrives
Bitter, a little stubborn: his drink
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: Rounder and fruitier. The bitter stays in charge.
Over ice, topped with Prosecco. Sbagliato means “mistaken”: the story says Mirko Stocchetto reached for Prosecco instead of gin.
As he arrives
With a green olive
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: A little rounder, with red fruit behind the bitter.
The Aperol Spritz with a deeper bitter. Many Venetian bars pour Select, with a green olive.
The party
Gin and lemon, for the grown‑ups
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: Gin and lemon with a red‑berry finish.
Shake the gin, lemon and syrup with ice, strain into a flute and top with Prosecco.
The party
The 3‑2‑1, on the terrace
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: Softer on the bitter, with a hint of wild strawberry under the orange.
Over lots of ice in a wine glass: Prosecco first, then Aperol, then soda. Finish with the orange slice.
The party
Deep and dark, for later
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: Cassis and red berries together: deeper and jammier.
Cassis in the flute, Prosecco on top. Made with Prosecco, its proper name is Kir Pétillant.
The toast
To him: another year, another bottle
Swap in the Rosé, also Brut:With the Rosé: A pink toast: because someone else is pouring.
A third of a flute each, raised before the cake. Keep the speech short; he’ll pretend not to be moved.
Make it yours
Cocktails on the menu
By the glass
Il Bar del Festeggiato
Happy birthday
Cent’anni!
Poured with Bella Principessa Prosecco DOC · prosecco.com
Or choose “Save as PDF” in the print window to send it as a file.
To your guests, your partner, or whoever is doing the shopping.
Party Math
Note per il Festeggiato
Bella Principessa Social Club
A Sbagliato or a Select Spritz: bitter, orange, a bit grown‑up. Most men’s idea of a cocktail.
Type it in above. He’ll act unimpressed and keep it.
A bottle pours five glasses: about a bottle for every two guests, and one for the toast.
Short and true. Nobody hears a toast through frosting.
Plan the rides home before the first cork.
Cent’anni!
For Your Party
Pick the drinks, add your name and the date, and print a Bella Principessa menu for the table. Gold and Rosé by the glass are already on it.
Make my menu
The Bottle
Every Bella Principessa bottle is ceramic‑painted, with no paper label, so it looks like part of the party from the moment it’s in the ice. Gold and Rosé, both Prosecco DOC Brut.
A Negroni Sbagliato: Campari, sweet vermouth and Prosecco over ice. Bitter, simple and very Italian.
A 750 mL bottle pours five glasses. About a bottle for every two guests over an evening, plus one for the toast.
A painted bottle of Bella Principessa looks like a present before it’s wrapped. Bring two: one to open, one for later.
Blood‑orange soda with a dash of alcohol‑free bitters, over ice. Please enjoy responsibly: 21+ only, and plan a safe way home.
Aperol, Campari and Select belong to their owners (Aperol and Campari are registered trademarks of the Campari Group), named only to describe the recipes. Bella Principessa is independent of them and of their owners.
Written by
Michael Goldstein
Founder and Creative Director, Bella Principessa
He believes the best introductions happen over a glass, and that time with family and friends, old and new, is the real luxury. He writes here about the brand and the people who share it.
Read his story →
Are you 21 or over?
Bella Principessa is for adults of legal drinking age.
Come back when you’re 21.
We’ll keep a glass cold.
For adults 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.
