Skip to Content
Advertisement
Recipes

Sipping and Sunning: Mana Breeze Italicus-Infused Cocktail

This seasonal cocktail from El Ta'Koy pairs juicy watermelon and mezcal with Italicus for a refreshing summer sip.

10:00 AM EDT on June 17, 2026

Overhead view of the Mana Breeze cocktail with watermelon garnish beside the pool at The Dominick hotel.

The Mana Breeze is served poolside at The Dominick’s El Ta’Koy, inspired by Vacation Inc.’s signature summer aesthetic.

There’s nothing better than a refreshing, fruit-forward sip in the summer.

This season, sunscreen brand Vacation Inc. and New York’s El Ta’Koy have partnered to create the Mana Breeze, sure to uplevel any summer cocktail menu. While the vibrant cocktail leans into a mezcal and watermelon base, it also features Italian-rooted Italicus, an aromatic aperitif that adds a floral, citrus twist.

"When creating the Mana Breeze, we drew inspiration from Vacation’s iconic summer scent and retro beach-club aesthetic,” says Andor Lato, assistant director of food and beverage for The Dominick.

Guests can enjoy the Mana Breeze alongside The Dominick's summer poolside programming and seasonal cocktails.

“The watermelon, citrus and mezcal come together to evoke the feeling of a perfect pool day, while the mini sunscreen adds a fun, unexpected touch that brings the partnership to life."

The drink is available at El Ta’Koy, which lives in The Dominick Hotel. For readers unable to test it in-person, Lato and his team shared the recipe with Appetito to try it at home.

Mana Breeze

0.0 from 0 votes

Glassware: Tiki Highball

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. 2 Mezcal

  • 1 oz. 1 watermelon juice

  • 0.75 oz. 0.75 lemon

  • 0.75 oz. 0.75 Italicus

  • 0.5 oz. 0.5 agave

Directions

  • Add basil leaves to the bottom of a shaker and muddle lightly.
  • Add all remaining ingredients to an ice-filled shaker, shake well, and strain into a glass.
  • Garnish with watermelon and basil.
  • Serve alongside a 1 oz. Classic SPF 30 Lotion.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Looking for more summer sips? Explore Appetito's collection of Italian-inspired cocktails and warm-weather drink recipes.

More Stories

On Gremolata and Death: a Halloween Story Starring Parsley

A craving for parsley inspires a recipe for Gremolata and research into the funerary rituals of ancient Rome.

October 30, 2026

Pasta Wednesday, Week 4: Baked Ziti

Joanna Moeller wraps up her Pasta Wednesday series with Baked Ziti, a classic Italian American dish inspired by her mother's version.

October 29, 2026

Luisa’s Table: Festivals in Campania and a Michelin Star in Milan

In her new column, Luisa Ruocco shares the culinary highlights of her latest Italian travels that take her from Campania to Milan.

October 28, 2026

Montage Laguna Beach: Coastal Italian Bliss in Southern California

Our intrepid traveler finds a resemblance to the Amalfi Coast's finest hotels at Montage Laguna Beach in southern California.

October 27, 2026

Cercare il pelo nell’uovo: To Look for a Hair in the Egg

An Italian expression that speaks to those who actively scrutinize, seeking imperfections and non-existent faults.

October 27, 2026

Nonnas & Cavit Wines Want Americans to Celebrate Like Italians

A venerable Italian wine maker and a Nonna-run cooking school have come to inspire American's holiday celebrations.

October 26, 2026