balladin cocktails

I’m a big fan of Baladin beers. I am particularly fond of Isaac, with its hints of citrus and coriander. I go as often as I can justify to Balladin’s restaurant here in Rome,  Open Balladin, since they have it on tap. So at the Salone I was totally psyched to meet the man behind the label, Teo Musso.

He’s kind of like the rock star of the Italian craft beer world. He was the first one to really make it big. But he also looks like a rock star. You know, leather jacket and tight jeans. So when I passed by his stand at the Salone I jumped at the chance to sit down and chat with him.

But things never turn out as you imagine they should. Instead of talking about his famous, well-loved beers I was fixated on his soda. Yes, soda. As in soda pop.

I just thought it was so cool that this guy, who can do anything he wants when it comes to beer, was launching three new sodas. I have to admit that the sun was shining on the bottles and they looked awful pretty sitting there. And they tasted even better than they looked.

A bit of background first: although a beer guy, Teo had actually developed two other very successful soft drinks for Lurisia: Chinotto and Gazzosa (both based on Slow Food -protected fruits) So the idea of developing his own label was the natural next step.

Cedrata is the prettiest: bright yellow reflecting the citron (cedro in Italian) that gives it its name, and bright, citrusy taste. Teo suggested pairing this with mozzarella, which actually sounds kind of fun.


Spuma is the strongest tasting of the bunch, and comes out of the tradition of colas that were developed in Italy in imitation of Coca Cola in the ’50’s. Dark in color, it blends vanilla, lemon and orange, with dark caramelized sugar. “It would be good with roasted meats,” Teo mused.

Teo was not amused at all when I asked him if he ever played around with mixing the beers and soft drinks, like they do all over Europe. You know, like a shandy? He gave me a firm ‘no’ to that question.

Being a cocktail kind of girl, you know the first thing I did when I got home. While I loved the sodas on their own, it’s rare that I would actually sit down and just have a soda. And while in theory I could serve them with a meal, would I really?

So, I decided to think of them as mixers, and I must say I was quite impressed with myself. I wonder if they will be on the Balladin menu next time I stop by?



Balladin Cocktails

Balladin Cedrata and Gin
2 oz Gin
1/2 bottle Balladin Cedrata

Balladin Ginger and Vodka
2 oz Vodka
1/2 bottle Balladin Ginger

Balladin Spuma and Rum
2 oz Rum
1/2 bottle of Balladin Spuma


For each of these drinks, fill a tall glass with ice, add liquids and stir gently.