I do love a cocktail. But I’m not a spritz girl and admittedly when you live in Italy this can make for some awkward moments at the bar.
But about a year ago, thanks to a friend, I discovered the Hugo. This cocktail, popular in north Italy has slowly (in true Italian style) made its way to Rome and more and more bars are starting to feature it on their drink lists. 
It’s made with prosecco, St Germain (sambuco – not to be confused with Sambuca and otherwise known as elderflower syrup). It’s fresh for summer and here’s where you can try one (tried and tested of course!):
Porto Fluviale (Ostiense)
Restaurant, cafe, bar and pizzeria all rolled into one at this huge – no I mean huge – warehouse style venue in the Ostiense neighborhood. It’s open for all-day drinking and dining from the morning until 2am every single day. (Via del Porto Fluviale 22)
Baylon (Trastevere)
With an extra €5 you can add some aperitivo style tasting plates to your drinks and cocktails at this local Trastevere favourite of mine. There are three snack menus to choose from – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. They make a mean Hugo too. (Via di San Francesco a Ripa 151/153) 
Bar del Fico (Centre – Piazza Navona)
This old classic is still a cool hangout for locals and visitors alike. People spill out into the Piazza del Fico nightly and their Mojito (while not my cocktail of choice) is an institution (if you can refer to a cocktail as one!) (Via della Pace 34/35)
Some of my other favorite cocktail bars in Rome include:
Co.So (Via Braccio da Montone 80) in the Pigneto neighborhood, which I can’t get enough of. I mean, I got a side of lollies (candy for some of you!) with my cocktail! You can read my post about it here. 
Freni e Frizione (Via del Politeama 4/6) is another http://www.flomaxbuyonline.com great option in the bustling heart of Trastevere (with their nightly mainly vegetarian aperitivo buffet) as is Bum Bum di Mel (Via del Moro 17) – a hole-in-the wall Brazilian cocktail joint that’s just around the corner. 
I also love the sakerinha or capirinha cocktails with passionfruit at Temakinho (Via dei Serpenti 16) and Sambamaki (Viale Regina Margherita 168). These Japanese-Brazilian places showcase the best of what these two cultures have to offer.. That is, colourful samba tunes, and sushi!
A few others that rarely disappoint include:
Duke’s (Parioli)
Think Malibu beach club decor in the heart of one of Rome’s most affluent neighbourhoods, but… with prices that aren’t exorbitant. The Passion Boheme is divine (and so is the tuna tartare)! (Viale Parioli 200)
Il Sorpasso (Prati)
One of my favourite places in Rome for lunch, snacks, dinner and aperitivo, the atmosphere at Il Sorpasso is relaxed and the cocktails (and wines) are quality. Especially in the warmer months, the crowd spills right on to the street. (Via Properzio 31)
La Zanzara (Prati)
Another one of these all-day-dining installments in Rome serves aperitivo snacks from about 6-9pm and they make a great Spritz.. And Hugo too. (Via Crescenzio 84) 
Speakeasy bars are also becoming a bit of a thing in Rome and I recently checked out The Jerry Thomas Project (Vicolo Cellini 30) in the Piazza Navona area. Visit the website for more information and especially for the password to get in (bookings are mandatory here – as is their pineapple daiquiri for me).
Throughout summer, you can grab a refreshing (alcohol or virgin) cocktail poolside at OS Club. Set up with deck chairs and all, your waiter will even drop your drink off to you in the pool! (Via delle Terme di Traiano 4/A) 
Finally, Niji (Via dei Vascellari, 35) and AkBar (Piazza in Piscinula) in Trastevere mix up quality cocktails in equally cool vintage lounge-room style settings.
And now, I’m thirsty! Happy drinking people!
Signing off from Trastevere,
Baci, Maria
