Italian Aperitivo

“See you at aperitivo time!”

There is something almost sacred about that time of day between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. For thousands of Italians, aperitivo is a regular after-work ritual: a moment to slow down, meet up and enjoy each other’s company.

The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperitivus, meaning “to open”, referring to a drink intended to stimulate and “open up” the appetite.

Going all the way back to Ancient Greece, Hippocrates discovered that serving an aromatic wine with a bitter flavour could help relieve loss of appetite. Known as vinum hippocratum, this preparation was passed down through the centuries and survived into the Middle Ages. Apparently, however, it was not the ingredients themselves that stimulated the appetite, but rather the bitter aftertaste — a characteristic still shared by many of the drinks traditionally served as aperitifs today.

In 1786, vermouth was born. Its creator, Antonio Benedetto Carpano, began serving the drink in a small shop in Turin. King Victor Emmanuel II later appointed Carpano Vermouth as the Official Aperitif of the Italian Royal Court. And that was not all: Turin’s finest cafés began serving it alongside small bites made with traditional Piedmontese ingredients.

Today, whether by the sea, in the mountains or in the city, aperitivo has become a quintessentially Italian ritual.

Aperitivo is also the perfect excuse to invite friends over. We will guide you step by step through choosing the right drinks and food.

Here are the five rules for a CorsoDolceVita aperitivo.

• Choosing the drinks:
  • Spritz, an alcoholic cocktail made with 90 ml of Prosecco or white wine, 60 ml of Aperol, a splash of soda water and a slice of orange. You can prepare it in advance and serve it in pitchers for your guests to help themselves.
  • Sparkling wine is ideal for awakening the palate and stimulating the appetite. Champagne and Prosecco are always a good choice.
  • White wines are best when fresh and fruity: Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Moscato Giallo, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.
  • Non-alcoholic drink. An alcohol-free Mojito made with one lime cut into pieces, four mint leaves gently muddled in a highball glass, ice cubes, 20 ml of mint syrup and LemonSoda. To make serving easier, prepare the glasses in advance with the muddled lime and mint, then serve the mint syrup and LemonSoda mixture separately in a pitcher.
• Choosing the right glassware:
  • Highball or lowball tumblers for alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.
  • Flutes for sparkling wines.
  • Rhenish wine glasses have a tall shape, a generous bowl and a narrower opening designed to direct fruity aromas towards the nose without allowing them to disperse, making them ideal for fruity wines.
• The food:
  • Serve dishes as finger food, offering your guests something delicious and practical to enjoy.
  • Create variety with foods that pair well with your chosen wines: tomato, cheese and basil skewers, mini quiches, savoury focaccia, small sandwiches, friselle with pesto and cherry tomatoes, taralli and almonds.
• Styling the buffet table:
  • Choose a round or rectangular table, or alternatively arrange several smaller tables at different heights.
  • Dress the table with one or more tablecloths that complement the style of your home.
  • Play with different heights by using cake stands, trays and plates in various sizes.
  • Provide guests with small plates and cutlery.
  • Make sure every dish has the appropriate serving utensil.
  • Create a dedicated drinks corner with a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
• Atmosphere:
  • Choose a playlist and keep the volume at a comfortable level, so your guests can talk without having to raise their voices.
  • Create layers of light: keep the buffet area well illuminated and use softer, more atmospheric lighting in the conversation area.

  • Decorate the centre of the table with flowers and candles.

     

Are you ready to enjoy a Dolce Vita aperitivo!

Enjoy the moment and be fully present with the people you love. Let your senses take over: your energy is essential to creating a beautiful and lasting memory for your guests.