The root of the word is the Latin aperire (to open) and the modern Italian is aprire…you’re literally ‘opening your stomach’ for all the delights to come! Italy is home to many revered facets of art and culture—the Colosseum in Rome; iconic artists such as da Vinci and Raphael; and, widely appreciated in the last half decade, its aperitivo culture. Aperitivi (plural for aperitivo or aperitivo bitters)—a type of bittersweet, herbal liqueurs—have existed for hundreds of years. Yet many brands have only been introduced to the American market over the last two decades. But are you happy at aperitivo time? For sure! So there’s a definite link there! How To Pronounce Aperitivo

Aperitivo hour, though, is a time when family and friends gather to enjoy small bites and appetite-stimulating, low-ABV tipples before dinner—typically from 6 to 8 p.m.—as a way to unwind from the day. At the center of the occasion are these aperitivo bitters, which are native to Italy and typically radiate an eye-catching sunset hue (think Campari and Aperol) — synonymous with the time at which they’re often consumed. Cities across America have eagerly embraced this slow, mindful drinking occasion with bars such as New York’s award-winning Dante and Seattle’s intimate Barnacle recreating the cultural phenomenon stateside. It’s just a splash, but don’t be tempted to skimp on the soda in your Aperol Spritz as it works wonders for the finished drink.“By adding soda water, we replace the carbonation that gets lost whilst pouring Prosecco and stirring the drink. Aperol spritz is a prosecco based drink and owns its color and taste to the addition of Aperol, a traditional Italian bitter.So what do you do with all that time from lunch to dinner? Don’t you get really hungry? That’s where aperitivo, or ‘aperitif time’ comes in. It’s the perfect moment for relaxation, conviviality and taking the edge off your hunger before the main event – dinner! You may be wondering if you need to leave the kids at home for aperitivo. The answer is – no, you can bring them ( babies, toddlers, kids, and teens)! The main ingredients are an infusion of herbs and roots with two of its most distinctive flavours being oranges and rhubarb.

Gallo hails the sophisticated Franco's Bar at Le Sirenuse in Positano as one of the scenic venues to enjoy an Italicus aperitivo, as their head mixologist Mattia Pastori designed an entire drink menu inspired by its colors. On the menu? The Dipinto di Blu, which marries Italicus with vodka, lime, ginger, basil, lemonade, and “magic blue” coloring (which renders the drink a light-blue hue). For travelers seeking an Italicus-laced spritz while enjoying some live jazz, the iconic Jazz Club Torino is a can’t-miss cultural hub.

I’ve asked friends from around Italy where they like to go for aperitivo. Here are some of our favorite places: Best Aperitivo in Florence The concept of making an aperitif with an alcohol content of only 11% was revolutionary, and perhaps a little before its time, as it did not take off and became a major success until after the second world war. This is all you have to know about it: Aperol Spritz recipe, fun spritz variations to try, fun facts about its origins. Classic Aperol Spritz ingredients Aperol sold in Germany had an alcohol content of 15% for some time to avoid German container deposit legislation regulations, but since 2021, it has been sold with an alcohol content of 11%.

The South of Italy use to lag behind a little compared to the North when it comes to aperitivo, but not anymore. Try Barril, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Naples’ lively Chiaia district, offering great drinks and elegant finger food. Aperitivo With Kids My 9-year-old son and I enjoying a rooftop aperitivo in Florence at Angel Rooftop Bar

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While you’re visiting Italy, you won’t be at the office, but after a busy day exploring, you’ll still need a little something before dinner.

The easiest way to introduce yourself to Aperol is drinking it in spritz form, naturally. The soda water and Prosecco offset the bitterness of Aperol just enough so it goes down more easily while not hiding its unique flavor profile. The key is to nail the right ratio between the three ingredients. We might be biased, but we think our recipe is spot on. Cappelletti, referred to by locals as “Il Specialino,'' is made by Antica Erboristeria Cappelletti, a producer established in 1909 from Aldeno in Northern Italy. Unlike any of the other aperitivo bitters on this list, Cappelletti is made from a wine base (Pinot Bianco, Garganega, and Trebbiano grapes), making it drier than most aperitivi. And since it’s made with wine, it’s also the only aperitivo bitter listed that requires refrigeration after opening (similar to a vermouth, or other aromatized and fortified wines). These types of bittersweet liqueurs historically had a practical purpose as digestive aids. So each brand has a proprietary and often top-secret recipe using medicinal herbs and roots. But as time passed, people started enjoying amaro more for the flavor than for the health benefits. And now across the world, but especially in Italy, consuming bittersweet liqueurs before and after meals is a long-standing cultural ritual. It’s a real ritual, and enjoying a true aperitivo italiano is a must on a trip to Italy. What Time Is Aperitivo? Silvio Barbieri named Aperol after the French word for apéritif, 'Apéro', which he had learned on a recent trip to France and seemed appropriate for their new bitter-sweet liqueur.As it’s harder to go out at the minute, here’s our simple guide to recreating the aperitivo moment with your household, with tasty, authentic aperitivo bites you can find find from your local supermarket (no airfare required!). As late afternoon falls, stopping at a little neighbourhood bar for a little something to eat and drink as you catch up with friends, neighbours, and anyone else who may happen to be there is a quintessentially Italian ritual. In theory, you could drink Aperol straight up; but if we’re being honest, we wouldn’t recommend it. People unaccustomed to bittersweet liqueurs will find the flavor far too intense to enjoy on its own. And people enthusiastic enough about amaro to drink it neat typically find Aperol to be too sweet. Originating from Italy in 1919, Aperol is an aperitif commonly enjoyed before a meal and particularly when the weather is warm, enjoyed as a spritz. The name Aperol comes from the word origin apero which is a French slang word for aperitif.