Bellini

noun

Bel·​li·​ni be-ˈlē-nē  bə- 

: a cocktail of prosecco or other sparkling wine and peach juice

Note: The cocktail has long been associated with Harry's Bar, a Venice drinking establishment and restaurant, where it was allegedly invented by the restaurant's original proprietor Giuseppe Cipriani (died 1980) in the 1930's or '40's (though the word is apparently only known in print from 1956). Periodicals from the 1960's mention other drinks served at Harry's Bar that were named after painters, such as the "Tiziano" and "Giorgione," suggesting that no particular reason may have motivated the choice of Bellini for this drink.

Word History

Etymology

probably from Giovanni Bellini †1516 Venetian painter

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Biographical Definition

Bellini 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Bel·​li·​ni bə-ˈlē-nē 

family of Venetian painters including: Jacopo circa 1400–circa 1470 and his sons Gentile circa 1429–1507 and Giovanni circa 1430–1516

Bellini

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Vincenzo 1801–1835 Italian composer