In town for the 68th edition of the Venice International Film Festival? Movie buffs should head over to the Hotel Cipriani, set on Giudecca Island across the lagoon from Venice's Piazza San Marco, to try George Clooney’s special cocktail. Back in 2005 Clooney directed and starred in the film “Good Night, and Good Luck.” After the movie was screened at the festival, Clooney returned to the Cipriani and asked his old friend, Walter Bolzonella, head barman of the hotel's Gabbiano Bar, to mix him a cocktail. The “Buona Notte”-- concocted with diced lemon, sugar, vodka, cranberry juice, ginger and angostura bitters-- was named in honor of the film. Needless to say, it was an instant sensation.
Here’s the recipe: Serve in an old fashioned glass
- 1/2 unpeeled lemon, diced into small pieces - a table spoon of cane sugar - a strip of cucumber peel - a ginger round - 3-4 drops of angostura
Pestle well, then add: - 50g of Vodka - 50g of cranberry juice
Complete with ice flakes. Serve with a straw.
Image via Concierge.com/ The Checklist: Hotels to Stay in Before You Die