Postcards from Italy

Italy’s Happiest Hour: L’Aperitivo

It is often said that Italy has a “food culture” rather than a “drink culture”, which is largely true. Most socialization happens around the table–not over a round of cocktails–and any sort of gathering necessarily includes a generous buffet ranging from delicate finger foods to hefty lasagne, accompanied by nothing more elaborate than water and wine.

Cocktails & Co.

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(Photo by Brian Dore for Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

The exception to this rule is the relatively new aperitivo trend. An aperitivo in the strict sense is simply a drink (most often alcoholic) before a meal (most often dinner), which is meant to “open—aprire–the palate”. More commonly, however, the term is used to define the act of meeting up with one or more friends for drinks accompanied by food (see below), chit-chat, live music, and people watching. The once ubiquitous invitation “Prendiamo un caffè!” has been slowly replaced by “Prendiamo un aperitivo!

The trend began in Milan–Italy’s most cosmopolitan city–but over the past decade has slowly spread down the entire length of the country. Today, regardless of whether you find yourself in the center of Turin or a tiny village in Puglia, around 6 p.m. you will start seeing the outdoor café tables filling with groups of people drinking, snacking, chatting, and relaxing until the dinner hour—and beyond.

In Italy, the once ubiquitous invitation “Prendiamo un caffè!” has been slowly replaced by “Prendiamo un aperitivo!” Click to tweet

What to Expect

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L’Aperitivo can mean many things, depending upon the locale and the evening, and can carry many different price tags:

• You can simply order a drink, which will generally include the cocktail and perhaps a few potato chips or nuts, for which there may or may not be a surcharge.

• If you would like more snacks, request “un aperitivo”, which is understood to include your cocktail accompanied by a number of appetizers. These vary widely, so it’s wise to ask first—you can find anything from olives and marinated vegetables, cheeses, and charcuterie to small pizzette, finger sandwiches, and savory pastries. An aperitivo usually hovers around €6 a person, though can be anywhere from €5 to €15, depending upon the city and cafè.

• The newest trend in apertivi is the “apericena”, a hybrid of aperitivo and cena (dinner), including more varied and substantial dishes. Served either directly to your table or buffet-style, the apericena can include pasta and rice, meat, fish and seafood, and a variety of side dishes along with the more standard aperitivo fare. This is an excellent way to enjoy a light tapas-style dinner—especially after a filling lunch—casually and inexpensively. Apericena prices also fluctuate between cities and locales, but expect to pay at least €10 a person.

If there is live music or entertainment going on, expect a surcharge (ask first!). You will also be charged for second and third cocktails (don’t confuse l’aperitivo with “happy hour”; the price of drinks served as aperitivi are not discounted, but supplemented to cover the cost of the food).

The newest trend in Italy is the “apericena”, a hybrid of aperitivo and cena (dinner). Click to tweet

What to Order

Venezia

(Photo by Brian Dore for Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

Though you can order un aperitivo analcolico (non-alcoholic drinks, generally juice cocktails), by far the most common aperitivi are alcoholic, most mixed with the bitter Italian Campari and Aperol aperitifs:

• Wine. If you don’t like cocktails, don’t despair. Wine is a perfectly acceptable and common aperitivo, especially sparkling Prosecco, Spumante, or Brachetto.

• Spritz. Perhaps the most common aperitivo cocktail, a light mix of soda, prosecco, Aperol, and a twist of orange.

• Negroni. Gin, vermouth, Campari, and a twist of orange in the traditional version; or with dry spumante substituting the gin in the lighter Negroni Sbagliato.

• Americano. Soda, vermouth, and Campari…with a splash of irony if you are, indeed, americano.

• Cocktails. Most cafès with well-stocked bars offer a cocktail menu, including everything from classic gin and tonics to trendy mojitos. Though more fashionable locales in larger cities can probably serve up a decent cocktail, your mileage may vary in smaller towns where mixing is a relatively new science.

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(Photo by Brian Dore for Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

The only beverages that are generally not served as an aperitivo are digestivi (after-dinner liqueurs, including grappa, limoncello, nocino, and amari–Ramazzotti, Lucana, Averna, and Fernet-Branca) and, of course, cappuccino.

Travel Specialists

Maria Landers

Brian Dore