What are 5 examples of aperitifs?

What makes a drink an aperitif? Aperitifs are typically low-ABV liqueurs and spirits that are meant to be drunk before a meal. Within that broad category, you can find vermouth, pastis, sherry, amaro, or even Champagne . Traditionally, an aperitif is meant to stimulate your appetite before eating.

What is an aperitif before dinner?

The idea behind having an aperitif before you sit down for dinner is to prepare your taste buds and palate for the upcoming meal to enhance the flavors so you enjoy your food more . They are typically lower in alcohol, usually refreshing and light and sometimes bitter.

What is a classic aperitif?

As mentioned before, there is not one type of alcohol that is classed as an apéritif, instead, it's the style of dry rather than sweet. For example, dry, sparkling wines like Champagne and Crémant are apéritifs, as well as bitter liqueurs like Aperol and Campari, and sprits like vodka and gin.

What is an aperitif but after dinner?

The main difference between apéritifs and digestifs is the time in which they're consumed, as well as their sweetness level. Apéritifs are served before a meal and are generally drier, whereas digestifs are served after a meal and tend to be sweet, stronger in alcohol, and/or more bitter .

What's a good before-dinner co*cktail?

Aperitif co*cktails are quite dry with a bitter taste. Aperitifs co*cktails include the Negroni, Martini, Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, and Aperol Spritz .

What do Italians drink as an aperitif?

Traditionally, an aperitivo is a carbonated, bitter, and low-alcohol beverage , such as the Aperol spritz, which is made with Prosecco, Aperol, and a spritz of sparkling mineral water. More flexible today, orders range from wine to beer to a variety of mixed drinks.

What is the most popular French aperitif?

The most common aperitif in different parts of France may be a glass of Champagne or a Crémant from some other region. Of course, you can add Crème de Cassis, orange juice, or a sugar cube dowsed with bitters to a glass of bubbly to make a champagne co*cktail, but that's only necessary if you get tired of Champagne.

What is a dinner aperitif?

An apéritif is an alcoholic beverage usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite , and is usually dry rather than sweet.

What is one of the dinner aperitifs consumed?

Common choices typically consist of fortified wines like dry vermouth or lillet blanc, sparkling wine such as champagne, and other spirit-based alcoholic beverages like our very own Pampelle french liqueur.

How to choose an aperitif?

An aperitif needs to stimulate the appetite and make your tummy rumble for the food being served. As such, it should really be something very dry - that is, very low in sugar . Sweet drinks will inhibit the appetite and put you off savoury dishes, so anything sticky or sickly is a real 'no' in this respect.

What is the most popular aperitif in Italy?

Campari . It is one of the most famous Italian alcoholic beverages, as it is the basis of many aperitif co*cktails par excellence.

What is the best aperitif wine?

The 10 Best Aperitifs to Sip Before a Big Meal, According to Pros Italicus. ... Amaro Averna. ... Suze. ... Lillet. ... Cynar. ... Pastis. ... Champagne. Popping open a bottle of Champagne or other sparkling wine before a meal instantly makes it a special occasion. ... White Wine. If bubbles aren't your thing, try a glass of dry white wine. More items... May 9, 2023

What is the difference between aperitivo and aperitif?

Apéritifs are enjoyed in various cultures as a pre-dining ritual, and can be served with a variety of hors d'oeuvres. "Aperitivo" is an Italian term that refers to a cultural tradition, particularly in Italy, where people gather before dinner to enjoy drinks and light snacks .

11 Great Aperitifs for Your Next Dinner Party (2024)

Recipes by Occasion
co*cktail Party Recipes
co*cktail Party Drinks

Invite These Drinks to Your Dinner Party

Colleen Graham

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 03/14/24

Watch Now: The Negroni co*cktail Recipe You Need Right Now

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See Also
The Perfect Negroni: A Guide to Ingredients, Tips, and Recipe negroni - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Negroni
The Negroni is an iconicaperitif. Campari itself is designed to be an aperitif and in this recipe, it is paired with gin and sweet vermouth to create the ultimate before-dinner drink.
This drink can prep your palate for any meal and is really nice whena Cornish game hen is the star of the table. You will find that the gin and vermouth add a mellow aspect to Campari's bitterness. That helps make the drink a bit more agreeable for palates that are new to the flavor.

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Aperol Spritz
Another must-haveaperitif is the Aperol Spritz. It is a simple drink that also features a bitter liquor designed specifically for this purpose. Aperol's bitter orange flavoris definitely more approachable than Campari and that makes it a good, gentle introduction to a genuine aperitif.
This co*cktail is ideal for flavorful dishes like roasted leg of lamb. The simplicity of the sparkling orange accents all of those herbs and spices without interfering with the dish.
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Fabiola
The Fabiola is an interesting co*cktail. It's a refreshing take on the Metropolitan, though the recipe pairs dry vermouth with Grand Marnier. The orange is a fascinating contrast to the dryness of the fortified wine and sweetness of a decent brandy.
It is a fabulous companion to any meal. Your guests will enjoy the play of citrus between the Fabiola and recipes like this lemon chicken with mushrooms. Since both are quick to fix up, this is a great combination for last-minute dinner parties.
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Gimlet
Another very simple aperitif, the gimlet will go along with almost any meal, no matter how fancy or casual dinner is. The best part is that it's a two-ingredient recipe. Simply pick upyour favorite bottle of gin and mix it with a lime cordial.
The gimlet is perfect for summer dinner parties because it is a very light, refreshing co*cktail. Serve a round to your guests as they sit on the patio and you finish up the spareribs on the barbecue.
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Campari co*cktail
There are Campari co*cktails and then there istheCampari co*cktail. This is the most Campari-forward drink you can mix because the only other ingredients are vodka and a dash of Angostura Bitters.
This is a very bold bitter co*cktail and it's not for everyone. Yet, few drinks can kick off a meal in style like the Campari co*cktail and you can train your palate to savor the taste. It's especially interesting when served beforea classic eggplant parmesan.
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Autumn Leaves
The autumn leaves recipe has a compound of intriguing flavors. It begins with pisco and Drambuie, then brings in a hint of Campari and lime. It's fascinating on its own and even better as a prelude to complex dishes such as a Genoa-style stuffed pork loin.
If your guests don't see you mix up this co*cktail, they'll wonder what you put into it because it is so unique. It is certainly an adventure in flavor and a fun one at that!
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Bourbon and Blood
Tarragon makes an appearance in this modernenhanced Manhattan. It's one that can easily be served during as well as before dinner.
The bourbon and blood features a smooth whiskey with sweet vermouth and a blood orange liqueur. The drink's darker profile makes a great pairing for a lighter pasta dish such asbutternut squash ravioli. The contrast between the drink and the food is engaging and sure to be the talk of your dinner party circuit.
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Autumn Spiced Tonic
The dry profile of tonic water is ideal for any meal and it creates simple but effective aperitifs. While the gin and tonic is the best-known recipe to feature this soda, the autumn spiced tonic brings in a seasonal twist.
Since it's a tall drink, you can serve it just before dinner and your guests can finish it at the table. The apple, pear, and cinnamon infused vodka is ideal for autumn dinner parties andperfect for a dish like roast turkey with a maple and orange glaze.
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Pear Cobbler
Dry sherry and brandy are two aperitifs that often go overlooked. They come together in a fun pear cobbler that is a modern take on a truly great classic co*cktail.
The sherry cobbler is an excellent drink and this recipe takes it up a few notches. Fino sherry and pear brandy are sweetened with cinnamon syrup and it's adorned with drunken pears. It's a fantastic way to start a traditional meal with brown sugar-glazed ham.
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San Francisco co*cktail
Sometimes, a semi-sweet co*cktail is in order. The San Francisco co*cktail is an excellent option. It uses both styles of vermouth like the perfect martini but opts for sloe gin instead. The sweet liqueur works very well in this mix, and accenting the drink with two different bitters marries the contrasting flavors wonderfully.
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Martini
When no other co*cktail seems absolutely perfect for your dinner table, you can always fall back on the classic martini. It is an excellent complement to any meal but is particularly nice with seafood, including the divine lobster Thermidor.
Not only is the martini the epitome of an aperitif, it also makes a great choice because the recipe can easily be adapted to individual tastes. You can make every guest happy, whether they prefer their martini dry, perfect, or served as a Gibson.
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