Aperitivo is more than just a pre-dinner drink; it’s a cultural experience.
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A Guide to Aperitivo
Aug 9, 2024
A Guide to Aperitivo
Aperitivo is more than just a pre-dinner drink; it’s a cultural experience. It’s a time to unwind, connect with friends, and savour the moment. While the tradition originated in Italy, aperitivo has become increasingly popular worldwide, offering an alternative to the typical “happy hour” with a focus on high-quality ingredients, food, drinks, and company.
What is Aperitivo?
Meaning “to open” in Italian, Aperitivo refers to an alcoholic beverage enjoyed before a meal as part of a cultural ritual, encompassing the combination of food, drink, people, place, and community. Unlike sweet drinks, aperitivos are typically dry or bitter and use botanicals like herbs, citrus or spice. This dryness helps cleanse the palate and prepare it for the upcoming courses, without suppressing the appetite. Aperitifs generally have a moderate alcohol content of 11-25%, ensuring they invigorate rather than sedate.
Some classic Italian aperitivos include cocktails made with sweet vermouth, such as the Negroni or Americano. Contrary to what the name suggests, sweet vermouth has a balanced, rich and herbal character which makes it a perfect choice for an aperitivo. Dry vermouth offers a lighter, drier profile compared to its sweet counterpart, and is typically used in classic cocktails like the Martini cocktail.
When is Aperitivo usually served?
Aperitivo is traditionally enjoyed between 5pm and 8pm, bringing everyone together before dinner as the evening unwinds. However, nowadays, the enjoyment of aperitivo has expanded into a daytime and evening occasion, from brunch to early evening cocktails. The drinks are usually served chilled, often with a splash of soda or tonic water for a lighter, more refreshing experience. Small, stemmed glasses like coupes, wine glasses or martini glasses are the classic choice for aperitivo cocktails, and bring a degree of elegance to the occasion.
What are the differences between Digestif and Aperitivo?
Though both served around meals, aperitivos and digestifs serve opposite purposes.
• Aperitivos are enjoyed before a meal to encourage your appetite. They are typically lighter, drier, and have a lower alcohol content.
• Digestifs, on the other hand, are consumed after a meal to help you unwind and digest. They are often stronger in alcohol content and sweeter than aperitivos. If aperitivo is the starting course, digestifs are the dessert. Some popular digestifs include Amaretto, brandy, and port wine.
So, the next time you’re looking for a way to unwind and enjoy a meal with your loved ones, consider embracing the art of aperitivo. With its emphasis on quality ingredients, good company, and a relaxed atmosphere, aperitivo offers a unique way to enhance your pre-dinner experience.
Our Favourite Aperitivo Cocktails
Whilst many traditional aperitivos involve enjoying vermouth neat, the effervescent Spritz cocktail and other classic Italian cocktails are popular options to explore.
Early 1900 legend has it that Americans loved a splash of soda in their Milano Torino, a traditional mix of vermouth and bitter in equals part resulting in this classic bittersweet long and refreshing aperitivo drink.
This contemporary vermouth is a complex blend of citrus and bittersweet orange with crisp white wines that creates a zesty and refreshing cocktail when mixed with bubbly tonic water.
MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante Spritz
The complex citrus notes of MARTINI Vibrante shine in this bright, fizzy, and refreshing drink thanks to the bubbling soda water and bitter edge of grapefruit juice, making this Spritz your perfect non-alcoholic aperitivo companion.
MARTINI Rosato Spritz
Light and aromatic, MARTINI Rosato is the perfect complement to fizzing prosecco on a warm day. With rich notes of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg alongside a dash of citrus, this Spritz cocktail is a lightly spiced delight.
MARTINI Bianco Spritz
With sweet vanilla notes from MARTINI Bianco adding a delicate botanical flavour to the crisp prosecco, this aperitivo is a sweet, aromatic experience.
Transforming MARTINI Bianco into a long drink, ice-cold tonic water softens the sweet vanilla notes of the white vermouth for a crisper, cleaner finish. A ratio of 50/50 vermouth and tonic ensures a perfect balance of flavours, while the balloon glass, packed with ice, will help concentrate the fragrant botanicals, for a more intensely aromatic experience.
MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino & Tonic
For a long-lasting, rich, bitter and herbal character, enhancing the red sandalwood and artemisia, combine MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino with tonic and a caper-berry garnish.