3 aphrodisiac drinks to try at Iter

The word ‘aphrodisiac’ derives from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love—have you ever noticed? That said, science has always sidestepped whether ingredients capable of heightening desire and passion between two people actually exist, but for Valentine’s Day we can indulge in magic, folklore and old wives’ tales, convincing ourselves for an evening that certain food and drink might give us a helping hand to win over or hold onto the person we love.

Yet preparing a full dinner around ingredients dear to Aphrodite could prove tricky, pricey and perhaps not entirely welcome (did you know garlic is said to be among the most potent?). Instead, you could opt for a cocktail created especially for lovers with ingredients traditionally believed to spark desire. And because passion also needs the right atmosphere to catch fire, why not choose a bar along the romantic Navigli, where intimate spaces and a cosmopolitan crowd encourage conversation, with drinks showcasing the very best Milanese mixology? In short, why not head to Iter in Via Fusetti, where Flavio Angiolillo and his crew have created three aphrodisiac drinks to brighten your Valentine’s evening (…and night). Pick whichever suits your mood or favourite ingredients, or decide to sample all three—in which case, do let us know how it goes!

Tunnel d’Amore

We cannot guarantee that drinking it will send you straight into a whirlwind of passion, but this cocktail is certainly an aphrodisiac powerhouse: it contains nutmeg, said to reawaken libido, invaluable ginger, which counts among its many qualities the power to rekindle desire, and absinthe, which naturally heightens excitement and euphoria.

RECIPE:
-Farmily Vodka
-Ginger
-Rosolio Scikenza
-Hibiscus cordial
-Nutmeg
-Absinthe

Prepared using the stir and strain method and served in a coupe.

Incontro piccante     

An apt name, as this cocktail features some of the ingredients traditionally considered most aphrodisiac, starting with spicy chilli, known to boost blood flow, right through to cacao, a natural aphrodisiac that provides energy and sharpens focus, alongside unexpected pistachios, also credited with stimulating blood circulation.

RECIPE:
-Fusetti al Cacao
-Martini Ambrato
-Salted pistachio
-VII Hills Gin
-Chilli

Prepared using the stir and strain method and served in a tumbler.

Umami o non m’ami?!

Umami, as many of you will know, is the ‘fifth taste’, an appealingly savoury note found naturally in meat, fish, vegetables and dairy. In this cocktail it comes from saline solution paired with oleato, an unusual olive distillate made by Farmily, and saffron, one of the most celebrated aphrodisiac spices, said to enhance mood, overall wellbeing and libido.

RECIPE:
-Trip Gin Zafferano
-Italicus
-Oleato
-Saline solution
-Herbal soda

Prepared using the build technique and served in a Collins glass.

Whether this Valentine’s Day you want to forget an old flame and jump back into the dating scene, enjoy a sultry evening or rekindle a romance that has lost its spark, Iter’s aphrodisiac drinks will not disappoint.