From the rooftop of Palazzo Manfredi, The Court commands a view so close to the Colosseum that it feels like an extension of the bar itself. In this extraordinary setting, Bar Director Matteo Zed unveils The Fountains of Rome—a cocktail list that is more than a menu: it is a guide, a liquid homage to the eternal city’s fountains. This journey flows from the grandeur of Trevi—immortalized in La Dolce Vita—to the Fontana della Terrina, where, during festivals, its spouts once flowed with red and white wines from the Castelli region. Each cocktail is a story, a sip through centuries of history.
The Fountains of Rome: Matteo Zed’s Journey Through Time
When P.B. Shelley wrote that “the fountains alone are worth a journey to Rome,” he could not have imagined that centuries later, his words would inspire a cocktail menu. From The Court’s terrace—where the Colosseum rises like a grand stage backdrop—Matteo Zed has given life to The Fountains of Rome, distilling the legacy of the city’s 2,000 fountains into liquid form.
“Rome is magnificent, and its fountains are its most emblematic treasures. In recent years, I’ve dedicated myself to becoming a storyteller of its wonders. Since most of our guests come from abroad, I wanted to offer them a fresh perspective on the city, sharing details and anecdotes they might not have known,” Zed explains. The menu is a richly layered experience, unfolding through evocative thematic paths, from Bitter is Better to Food Heritage, culminating in Pleasure with Lightness, a section dedicated to non-alcoholic cocktails.
Rome’s Liquid Legends
Each chapter of the menu unveils a new tale, mirroring the fountains that inspired it. The journey begins in Trastevere at the Fontana della Botte, a tribute to the days when wine was measured in sospiri (a tenth of a liter) and fojette (half a liter). Here, the Cappuccino Negroni takes center stage, blending gin, bitter, and vermouth with an unexpected finish—a velvety cappuccino foam, echoing Rome’s everyday rituals.
The story flows on to the majestic Trevi Fountain, commissioned by the Pope in 1640 and propelled to worldwide fame over three centuries later by Federico Fellini. In 1960, Anita Ekberg waded into its icy waters for the most unforgettable scene of La Dolce Vita, while Marcello Mastroianni, hidden beneath his suit, relied on a wetsuit and a bottle of vodka to endure the chill. Today, that iconic fountain inspires Zed’s Cacio e Pepe Vesper, a tribute to Roman cuisine crafted with gin and vodka redistilled with Pecorino Romano and finished with a whisper of vermouth.
The Fountains of Rome: Cannons and Royalty
Among Rome’s storied fountains is the Fontana della Palla di Cannone, shrouded in legend. One tale recounts that Queen Christina of Sweden, known for her audacious spirit, once ordered cannon fire toward Villa Medici—perhaps to make an entrance, or simply to excuse a late arrival. Whether truth or myth, the cannonball remains atop the fountain, an enduring mark of defiance. That same boldness is captured in Mango Italiano, a cocktail where spiced rum, mango, cardamom cordial, citrus, and soda blend into a drink as daring as its inspiration.
Art in a Glass
On Via Margutta, the Fontana degli Artisti pays homage to the generations of creatives who have called this street home, its sculpted easels and masks a tribute to artistic spirit. From this legacy, The Court draws its Ginger Goldrush, a cocktail of whiskey, amaro, ginger, honey, and Angostura, a liquid reflection of the neighborhood’s bohemian soul. The journey continues through Rome’s Nasoni—the small fountains that have quenched the city’s thirst since 1874—translated into cocktails like Dirty Capperino, an elegant mix of gin, dry vermouth, and caper nectar.
Finally, Zed’s menu reaches the Fontana della Terrina, once a washbasin for fruits and vegetables in Campo de’ Fiori. This storied fountain inspires a trilogy of non-alcoholic creations: Piña Colada Clarificada, Tommy’s El Delgado, and Tropical Matcha Mojito—each one a revelation in flavor.
Eternity in a Sip with The Fountains of Rome
As the sun sets over the Colosseum, casting its pink glow on the ancient stones, glasses fill with the creations of Matteo Zed. The Fountains of Rome is more than a cocktail list; it is Rome, captured in liquid form—where every sip tells a story, and every fountain whispers of eternity.
Photo by Alberto Blasetti x Coqtail, all rights reserved
