Vita Gazette

News from Italy

Being Italian: A good evening starts with an Aperitif!

by Alessandro Romano

We look forward to it in the late afternoon, usually between 6 and 8 pm, after work, or on weekends. What are we talking about? The aperitif, of course! A moment of relaxation and leisure to be spent with friends and which, by now, we cannot do without. So indispensable that, during the pandemic months, home and online aperitifs were even born. Let’s begin! Strictly with a drink in hand!

The phrase “it’s not what you eat, but with whom” had to be said for “we Italians” Aperitif time, well deserved at the end of a tiring day, is also very important for Italians who like to gather around large tables and chat for hours to upbeat music… So much so that two years ago, we started celebrating the 26th of May as “World Snack Day”. We celebrate this Aperativ with various events, not for one day, but for three days…

Aperitivo, the quintessential Italian ritual, combines the lightheartedness of drinking, good food, and conviviality. In the fifth century BCE, Greek physician Hippocrates (history’s first mixologist) prescribed Vinum Hippocraticum to patients suffering from appetite loss. The white wine remedy had been steeped in dittany flowers, wormwood, and rue. Today, 75% of Italians enjoy an aperitif before dinner with some degree of frequency. A time for an after-work chat or a start for lunch or dinner, the aperitivo ritual slowed down during the lockdown period. Still, Italians found a solution by having virtual get-togethers at home via Zoom with a glass of wine. Small bites may comprise taralli, savoury pies, cold cuts, homemade bread, pizza, olives, pickles, and much more, all the perfect companions to a glass of wine or classic cocktails such as the Negroni Sbagliato or Spritz.The U.S. has a penchant for aperitivo, too

Aperitivo is an early evening drink meant to “open the appetite.” Often made with bitter liquors because an aperitivo is meant to prime your stomach for dinner – the main event.  The food accompanies the drink. You can’t really be expected to know your appetite without a few snacks, can you?

The most iconic Italian aperitivo is the spritz. This red drink is made with either Campari or Aperol (which is slightly sweeter and has a brighter appearance), plus white wine and topped with fizzy water. The last ingredient is a “spritz” that gives the drink its name. The most traditional Italian drink is actually vermouth – a fortified wine flavoured with herbs.

However, you can order any drink for aperitivo without sticking to the traditionally bitter cocktails. Prosecco, wine, and beer are all common drinks when out before dinner. However, don’t plan to order wine if you are out after dinner. That strikes locals as odd because wine is something to be enjoyed with food.

For non-alcoholic options, crodino is a bitter drink without the buzz of a spritz. You can also request an alcoholic cocktail (without alcohol). The bartender might ask if you want bitter or sweet and then propose something they can mix in-house.

Now that we know about Aperitif, what do we do? Let’s go to the Aperitif… Happy Aperitif! Cheers!

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