Cipriani

As the 1920s were coming to a close, Giuseppe Cipriani was a young and popular bartender at Venice’s Hotel Europa. One of his regulars — a wealthy American named Harry Pickering — was unexpectedly cut off from his fortune and stranded in Italy. Giuseppe lent him 10,000 lire to get home, never expecting what would come next.

Harry returned to Venice not long after to repay his debt, fourfold. Enough startup capital for Giuseppe to finally open his very own bar. Which, of course, he did in 1931, naming it “Harry’s Bar.”

Renowned for his distinctive hospitality and refined, elegant style, Mr. Cipriani transformed Harry’s into a favorite gathering spot for connoisseurs of the arts — literature, art, and drama. It was, and still is, a place to see and be seen.

And then, in 1948, he created his famous Cipriani Bellini recipe ...

World War II was finally over and like so many, Mr. Cipriani was eager to celebrate peace. Meanwhile, that summer, Venice hosted an exhibition of the great Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini inside the Palazzo Ducale. Giuseppe had always admired the glowing pink hues Bellini favorited in his works — and was inspired to create a cocktail that mimicked its warmth. Using fresh purée from his favorite white Mediterranean peaches as a base, Giuseppe added the lively bubbles of Italy’s signature sparkling wine, Prosecco. An instant classic was born — a simple symbol of freedom, Italian art, and hospitality. He called it the Bellini.

Four generations of the Cipriani family have stewarded their name through 93 years, becoming a universally recognized icon of hospitality, one that others have yet to succeed in replicating. While their flagship remains the Original Bellini, they’ve added other fine wines and spirits to their range, including (of course) extraordinary Prosecco, a sparkling rosé, spirits, and more. Each one representing equal parts Venetian elegance and Giuseppe’s uniquely simple approach.