You’re out for a special night with friends or family. Shouldn’t your drinks be special too? At North Italia, the “North Secret Cocktail” is the best-kept secret behind the bar. Specifically, the North Secret Cocktail is an extra-special off-menu creation. And it’s so secret that it changes every week.
Some of the ingredients waiting for you behind the bar at North Italia – photo via North Italia.
What’s special about the North Secret Cocktail? We love that it usually features some fresh, seasonal ingredient. Plus, there’s always a fun and unexpected twist.
North Secret Cocktails of Note
North Secret Cocktails cover a wide range of flavors and combinations.
For example, Giaco’s Italian Shandy contains traditional Italian bitter Campari and sweet Solerno, a blood orange liqueur from Sicily. An ice-cold Peroni finishes off the combination.
Next, the Little Hot, Little Dirty Martini features vodka, lime juice, Calabrian chile paste, and Castelvetrano olive juice.
Little Hot Dirty Martini – photo via North Italia
Third, Nero’s Fiddle & Glass is a fiery twist on a New York Sour featuring Irish whiskey and a float of soft red wine.
Nero’s Fiddle and Glass – photo via North Italia
Last but not least, the Dolce & Piccante is a tart and tangy martini combining tinkerbell pepper, grapefruit and lemon juice.
Dolce y Piccante – photo via North Italia
Of course, you won’t necessarily get these specific drinks. But you will get something that’s seasonal, interesting, and tasty.
Stumping the Waiter
We recently had a chance to try the North Secret Cocktail trick at North Italia with friends. Unfortunately, it was such a good secret that the server didn’t even know what it was. Nevertheless, he returned after a chat with the bartender and gave us several options. That night’s offerings included a Greyhound with grapefruit and oregano, a plum martini, and a martini with piquillo pepper.
In the end, we all got a chuckle out of ordering something the waiter hadn’t even known about. And the cocktails were the perfect start to a great evening with friends.
Looking for a North Italia near you? There are locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas.
Blogger disclosure: North Italia offered our group complementary food and beverages for the evening. I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
Hi! I'm Jeanne Fratello - a writer, reporter, and food enthusiast who is on a mission to write great stories about food and where your food comes from. 
They are look so delicious!