Delicious food is a pleasure worth experiencing with focus and good humor – and an aperitif can help with that! The tradition of serving it is particularly rich in countries where a shared meal with family, meeting with friends, or a party involves a lot of good food – in France, Spain, or Italy. It's worth learning from the best and finding out what an aperitif is and how to serve it before the upcoming weekend!
For a good start
To answer the question, what is an aperitif, it's worth looking at a party or gathering as a complete whole: with a beginning, development, and end. The host wants their guests to start the party in excellent spirits, continue it with joy, and finish by winding down before going to bed. For everything to go perfectly, not only good preparation is important, but also a positive attitude of the participants from the very start.
Served at the beginning – even before or with an appetizer – an aperitif is designed to relax guests on many different levels. A light, tasty alcoholic beverage eases stress and reduces tension. It encourages conversation, even with fellow guests not yet known. It stimulates appetite and prepares the taste buds for the deliciousness to come. Serving a glass of aperitif at the opening can influence the upcoming events! So what to choose?
Putting you in a good mood
It's worth considering what alcohol to serve as an aperitif to put guests in a good mood even before the main course! There are several drinks to choose from – it all depends on taste preferences and the type of appetizers. You can choose:
- cocktails, i.e., Aperol Spritz, Martini Fiero, Milano-Torino;
- wine – sparkling green or light white, well chilled;
- herbal vermouth;
- anise-flavored liqueur pastis;
- stronger spirits: sherry, calvados, or ouzo;
- light lager or wheat beer.
Each of them should be served in a small amount – so that the gathered people forget about the daily rush and gain an appetite, but don't feel heavy. With what and when to serve an aperitif?
Aromatic appetizer
There are several approaches to how we serve an aperitif. This can be done, for example, after the guest has comfortably settled at the table – as a "waiting drink," even before serving appetizers. While the partygoers sip on a colorful cocktail, beer, or a glass of chilled white wine, the host has time to prepare appetizers. If everything has been done beforehand, the aperitif can be served along with platters full of appetizers.
Most of the mentioned alcoholic beverages pair well with popular dishes. However, when considering which drink to choose for which food, you can try, for example, going by geographical key, combining Greek appetizers with ouzo or French cheeses with pastis. You can serve spicy drinks with savory food and sweet ones with dessert. There's also nothing to stop you from asking guests what they fancy and serving them what they like best!
Simple aperitif recipes
Cocktails that are perfect as an aperitif are incredibly easy to make. It's worth knowing the most popular recipes that everyone will love!
How to prepare Aperol Spritz? Ingredients and preparation method.
To prepare Aperol Spritz, you will need:
- 200 ml Prosecco,
- 100 ml Aperol or Bitterol,
- 50 ml sparkling water,
- 2 slices of scrubbed orange,
- 4-5 ice cubes.
Place ice and orange slices in a large red wine glass. Measure all previously chilled liquids and pour them into the vessel. Stir thoroughly with a spoon, serve immediately.
How to prepare Martini Fiero? Ingredients and preparation method.
To prepare Martini Fiero, you will need:
- 150 ml Martini Fiero,
- 150 ml gin,
- 2 slices of scrubbed orange,
- 4-5 ice cubes.
Place ice and orange slices in your favorite wine glass. Measure the chilled martini and gin, pour into the bowl of the glass and stir. Serve immediately.
How to prepare Milano-Torino (Americano)? Ingredients and preparation method.
To prepare Milano-Torino (Americano), you will need:
- 100 ml Martini Rosso,
- 100 ml Campari,
- 2 slices of scrubbed orange,
- 4-5 ice cubes.
Place ice and 1 orange slice in a whisky glass. Pour both liquids and mix thoroughly. Serve cold, hooking the second orange slice on the rim of the glass.