The mighty saviors of appetite – apéritifs hold superpowers that enhance the joy of having your favorite meals. These drinks are like that companion that usually goes unnoticed but adds great value when around. They can be enjoyed as they are or blended into other spirits to create breathtaking apéritif drinks. Apéritifs can bring life to any occasion like the main character they are – Be it a chill weekend party, lazy afternoons by the pool, or a serene sundowner session. They’ve got it all!
What Is An Apéritif?
If you spend more time at the gym or fitness studio than at your home, you must know the importance of warming up before exercise. Just like the warm-up prepares the body for physical activity, apéritif drinks are served before having a meal. In a way, they prepare your stomach for all the food that will make its way from your plate to your mouth.
Apéritifs have a few common characteristics – they have a dry, herbaceous, bittersweet taste. While there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic apéritif options available, most of them have a tad bit of alcohol. Also, on the alcohol levels, apéritifs lay low, with typically less than 25% alcohol.
Apéritif Drinks That You Need To Try
- Aperol Spritz
- Gimlet
- Negroni
- Martini
- Americano
- Bicicletta
Aperol Spritz
Crafting an Aperol Spritz is an experience in itself – you assemble a literal sunset in your glass. The bittersweet taste of Aperol is subtly balanced by the prosecco and the citrus, like a jigsaw puzzle falling into place. This low-alcohol drink will pair up well with a hearty afternoon lunch packed with fatty and flavorful dishes. Think of roasted chicken, lamb tenderloin, and the list goes on and on. A glass of Aperol Spritz is sure to take you on a tour of North Italy, if not for your pending summer trip plans.
Also Read: Apéritif and Digestif: Know the Differences
Gimlet
We all have that one friend who never hesitates to talk and mingles well with almost everyone. Gimlet, just like that social butterfly of your group, pairs up well with almost any meal and occasion. And, its two-ingredient recipe makes sure it gets prepared in the blink of an eye. Just grab your favorite gin and some lime cordial, and you’d have your hands on a Gimlet before we can even finish this sentence.
Having said that, if you are someone who hasn’t touched a drop of apéritif yet, this cocktail is the perfect one to get started with. Enjoy it with your family and friends – and don’t forget to serve it to your social butterfly friend!
Negroni
Few other apéritif drinks are as iconic as Negroni. Just like Wendy Williams quoted on her famous talk show – “She is an icon, she is a legend, and she is the moment.” Its base spirits – the holy trinity of equal parts of gin, Campari and vermouth – is a template that countless connoisseurs and drink makers have tried experimenting with. Some resulted in new drinks being created, like your Boulevardier. Some other experiments were just not successful enough to find a place in history books.
Balancing the flavors of Negroni is indeed not a cakewalk. Finding a perfect duo of gin-vermouth that balances the robust Campari is a task that is sure to make your heads scratch. Once you know the magic, you’re no less than a magician.
Martini
If the Gimlet is the social butterfly among apéritif drinks, the Martini is like that friend who you can fall back on any time. It has quite a few variations, but the classic dry gin Martini is the one that takes the cake as inarguably the most popular cocktail. Moreover, it is ready in an instant, so that you can sip away in style.
A classic Martini is the perfect apéritif, complimenting virtually any meal, but we’d recommend trying it out with seafood – you’ll thank us later! While some might prefer gin over vodka and some might like it the other way around, the Martini is a drink that can be altered to individual taste buds. We recommend playing around with this apéritif and finding out what pleases you.
Americano
The Americano walked so that “Martini, shaken, not stirred” could run. If you didn’t get this reference, dig into Ian Fleming’s ‘Casino Royale’ that saw the cult classic icon James Bond ordering it. Nonetheless, don’t end up confusing it for the Americano coffee you’d find at your local café. In fact, this cocktail owes its origin to the obsession Americans had over a mild version of the Milano-Torino cocktail in 1860s Milan.
The Americano blends the bitter, robust flavor of Campari and sweet vermouth with just a zingy dash of citrus. The key to a delectable Americano is equal proportions of Campari and sweet vermouth. If you’re in the mood for an apéritif that’s not as heavy as a negroni, the Americano should definitely be on your list.
Also Read: 7 Coffee Cocktails To Keep You Alert
Bicicletta
Behold the return of the great Campari! Just like numerous other apéritifs like the Aperol Spritz and Negroni, this drink is one of Italy’s numerous gifts to the world of mixology. All you need is three ingredients – Campari, dry white wine and sparkling water. Garnish it with an orange peel and you have for yourself a great companion for those sultry, slow and lazy summer afternoons. The kind of afternoons when you just want to sit on your couch and do nothing but sip away in peace.
Apéritif Cocktails Or Plain, Old Apéritifs?
While we’ve enlisted some of the most well-known, refreshing apéritif drinks out there, they are typically consumed by diluting with other spirits or straight up on the rocks. Many kinds of apéritifs like Aperol, sparkling wines such as Italian Prosecco and French Champagne, vermouth, gin, and more, can be enjoyed straight up on ice. If you’re someone who likes this experience ‘undiluted’ by other flavors, going straight up the road is an equally rewarding experience.
Summing Up
Apéritifs are quite significant in Italian culture. Consuming food and alcohol is seen as a ritual rather than a mere task, lending a special place to apéritifs. Creating the perfect apéritif drink is like playing with an array of spirits and other ingredients – like a game of mixing and matching-up. At the end, each one has their own preference of having an apéritif, so we recommend figuring out what suits you the best.
FAQs
What Makes A Drink An Apéritif?
As apéritifs are meant to stimulate your appetite before eating, they generally are low-ABV liqueurs and spirits.
Why Is It Called ‘Apéritif’?
The word “apéritif” is derived from the Latin term “apéritivus” which translates to “the ability to open” or “opening”. The word refers to the ability of the drinks to ‘open’ the stomach or stimulate appetite.
Can Apéritifs Be Non-Alcoholic?
Yes. Apéritifs can be non-alcoholic, while offering enticing bittersweet flavors without any of the alcohol.
Is Jagermeister An Apéritif?
Jägermeister is a liqueur that is served cold. It is considered as a digestif, which are low-ABV liqueurs that aid with digestion.
Is Rum An Apéritif?
Rum can be served on its own, as an apéritif, a digestif, or through a cocktail. Rum is also used to prepare many savory and sweet dishes.
What Percentage Of Alcohol Is In An Apéritif?
Apéritifs commonly have an alcohol content between 16% and 25%.
Are Apéritifs Strong?
Apéritifs are often light, dry, and contain moderate levels of alcohol.
Do You Drink Apéritifs Straight?
Apéritifs can be consumed with spirits in cocktails or straight up on the rocks.
What Food Goes With Apéritifs?
Salads, cheese boards, peanuts, bread, and charcuterie are some of the many foods that pair well with an apéritif.
What Are The Different Types Of Apéritifs?
Among the many different types of apéritifs, vermouth, gin, Campari, Lillet, white wine and Aperol are some of the most well-known.
