Like us the Italians enjoy a sneaky drink (or three) after a long and stressful day at work. Milan, is particularly well known for its ‘L’ora d’ apperativi’, roughly translated ‘happy hour’, when around clocking off time pubs and bars begin to fill with people looking to let loose and blow off some steam after a day in the office. But while our ‘happy hour’ usually consists of a pint of beer or glass of wine and a packet of crisps before venturing out into the rain to wait for the Number 59 bus home, our European cousins’ version is a little more sophisticated. I picture Armani clad model-types zipping down side streets on Vespas, before dropping into a pavement cafe for a quick aperitif. So clearly a pint of bitter is not going to cut it. No, the drink of choice in the Italian fashion capital is of course, Martini.

Only recently Martini teamed up with another Italian icon, Dolce & Gabbana, to create a unique blend which combines the atmosphere and flavours of the Mediterranean with aromatic spices from the Far East. The result of this collaboration is Martini Gold by Dolce & Gabbana.

With an ad campaign featuring the utterly ravishing Monica Bellucci this is an all-Italian production, embodying the passion, fire and exuberance of the Italian spirit.

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I had my first taste of Martini Gold by Dolce & Gabbana a few weeks ago in the Martini Bar situated on Corso Venezia in Milan The myriad of carefully blended flavours delighted my palate: bergamot from Calabria, lemons and oranges from Sicily, cubebe pepper from Indonesia and ginger from India.

Well done Martini and Mr’s D&G you have struck gold.