A Crodino Moment in Milan

On a short trip to Italy this summer (Cinque Terre via Milan and Genoa), my German friend introduced me to Crodino, a non-alcoholic bitter drink served with ice and sometimes water, which I immediately fell in love with. It tasted like Campari and it was just great on a summer day.

Having been to Italy 7 – 8 times before, I wonder why I’d never heard of this drink before. They seemed to have it everywhere, even if it wasn’t on the menu.

I actually had a very relaxing Crodino moment in Milan during this trip, at a place called Aperole Terrazza by the Duomo. The menu at Aperole Terrazza priced the drink at 10 euro, which I was happily willing to pay just to get away from the peddlers and miscellaneous crowds of Milan’s greatest attraction, the cathedral. The service was very dismissive but it didn’t dampen my spirits.

Why I’d come there at all was nagging at the back of my head, but this cathedral had a pull on me and I’d thought it a good starting point to navigate to other places (namely a piadina place I’d walked past earlier, not far).

When I was ready to pay, I received some good news: they only charged me 6 euro for my drink. Why? I don’t know. But it felt like a bargain.

The terrace is located on the 2nd floor right next to the Duomo with a great view of it all. There was plenty of peace and quiet, barely no other guests, just soft jazz music playing in the background. Warm chips were included with the aperitif. And I didn’t have to guard my bag from pickpockets because the terrace wasn’t accessible from the street.

You might feel like 6 euros is a lot for a drink, but for me, living day-to-day in an expensive Nordic capital, it’s an okay price. After all, I’m not on holiday in Italy every day. Earlier the same day, I’d had an excellent cappuccino at a random cafe for 1,80 eur and I’d felt like I’d won the lottery! At home, a cappuccino would be around 4 euro. So no complaints here! I was on a winning streak!

As the years have gone by, I’ve slowly turned into a lazyish, self-indulgent traveler. If all I want to do in Milan is try local food and drinks, then so be it. This time around, that little terrazza break was definitely my favorite moment in Milan.

When I got home, I ordered some Crodinos online. They’re chilling in the fridge as we speak…