THE LEGEND – THE WORLD’S FIRST ORANGEADE:

In 1932, Sanpellegrino’s innovative owner Ezio Granelli created the world’s first ever orangeade —revolutionising soft drinks by combining fresh juice from southern Italian oranges with sparkling water. This wasn’t just another beverage—this was innovation that defined a category.

Served in the iconic Sanpellegrino glass bottle, it drove rapid expansion for the company. The success was so monumental that it inspired a whole range of sparkling fruit flavours celebrating the company’s 50th birthday—Aranciata Amara (bitter version), Chinotto, and Limonata.

Over 90 years later, Aranciata remains Italy’s most famous orange drink—a testament to Granelli’s genius and the timeless appeal of genuine Italian oranges captured in sparkling perfection.

SOUTHERN ITALIAN ORANGES – SUN-RIPENED PERFECTION:

The Fruit:

High-quality oranges from southern Italy—ripened until just right under the soft caress of the Mediterranean sun. Southern Italy (particularly Sicily, Calabria, and Campania) produces some of the world’s finest oranges thanks to:

Intense Mediterranean sunshine (optimal sweetness development)

Rich volcanic soil (mineral complexity)

Perfect climate (warm days, cool nights)

Traditional cultivation (generations of expertise)

The Formula:

16% orange juice from concentrate (authentic citrus foundation)

0.1% orange extract (concentrated essence—pure orange soul)

Natural orange flavouring (amplifying authentic character)

Together: Genuine Italian orange intensity

Each can contains real orange juice, which gives Sanpellegrino Aranciata its authentic taste.

FLAVOUR PROFILE:

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Delightfully fragrant with the intense aroma of ripe oranges —bright, inviting, genuinely citrus

Appearance: Brilliantly golden orange in colour —natural from real orange juice

Palate: Refreshingly dry yet soft on the palate, presenting a full citrus flavour with the perfect balance of sweet and pleasantly bitter notes.

Carbonation: Fine bubbles that enhance citrus aromatics without overwhelming

Finish: Delicate on the nose with notes of juicy squeezed oranges, medium sweetness balanced with subtle bitter notes of natural orange carried through to a caramelised orange finish.

The Balance:

The magic is in the balance—sweet and pleasantly bitter notes carried on right to the end. This isn’t candy-sweet orange soda; this is authentic Italian citrus with the natural bitterness from orange peel oils creating sophistication. The fine bubbles lift the aromatics, the pectins provide smooth mouthfeel, the orange extract delivers concentrated essence.

The result: A truly authentic Italian taste that dances in the mouth.

Food Pairing:

The balanced sweet-bitter orange character pairs with:

Italian Classics:

Pizza (all varieties—Margherita, quattro formaggi, diavola)

Pasta dishes (especially tomato-based, carbonara, amatriciana)

Risotto (mushroom, seafood, saffron)

Antipasti (olives, cheese, salumi, bruschetta)

Arancini, supplì, panzerotti (fried Italian specialties)

Seafood:

Grilled fish, calamari, prawns

Seafood pasta and risotto

Fish tacos, ceviche

Lighter Fare:

Salads (Caprese, panzanella)

Sandwiches and panini

Fresh mozzarella, burrata

Focaccia, ciabatta

Brunch:

Pastries, cornetti

Fresh fruit

Eggs Benedict, frittata

As a Mixer:

Orange Spritz: Aranciata + Aperol + Prosecco

Arancia Mule: Aranciata + vodka + lime

With Campari: For bittersweet depth

Mocktails: Base for non-alcoholic cocktails

THE ORIGINAL vs. IMITATORS:

Why Aranciata Remains Supreme:

Historical authenticity (the original that started it all)

Real Italian orange juice (16% plus 0.1% extract)

Southern Italian fruit (Mediterranean terroir)

Natural bitter notes (from orange peel oils—sophistication)

Fine bubbles (refined carbonation, not aggressive)

Expertly balanced (sweet-bitter harmony perfected over 90+ years)

No artificial colors (golden-orange from real juice)

Sanpellegrino quality (125+ years of beverage mastery)

This isn’t generic orange soda. This is the original Italian aranciata—the one that defined the category and has never been surpassed.