The Art of Italian Aperitivo
A healthy, plant based twist on this quintessentially Italian custom.
Like most everyone else who visits Italy, I’ve become totally enamored with the country and all that it has to offer - the breathtaking scenery, the awe-inspiring history and, of course, the food. Oh, the food! Not only is Italian cuisine perfection in its fresh, delicious simplicity, but the customs that surround food and drink are equally as craveable. As an Italian American, I’m very familiar with long, lingering meals and prominent coffee culture, but one thing that my grandparents never passed on to me was the art of Italian Aperitivo. This charming ritual is omnipresent across Italy, and really encompasses the country’s laid back approach to life.
Americans are no strangers to pre-dinner drinks (Happy Hour, anyone?) but Aperitivo is not about half-priced sugary margaritas and cheap beer. Instead, it’s a sensible, civilized way to unwind at the end of the day over conversation, small bites of (good) food and a light cocktail or two. Aperitivo originated in Northern Italy in the late 1700s, but is now a part of daily life across the country. There are differences in the types of drinks and food served, regionally, but typically, Aperitivo takes place between 6-8 PM, or just before dinner. The cocktails are lower-alcohol, and typically bitter (thought to stimulate the appetite and help with digestion) and herbal. Sparkling wines, such as Prosecco, are also popular choices. The food can vary from bagged snacks to thoughtfully prepared hors d’oeuvres and is almost always complimentary alongside your drink order.
If a flight to Italy isn’t an option at the moment, you can easily recreate this lovely Italian custom at home. Even if you don’t drink, there are so many great non-alcoholic options to stand in for cocktails, and, of course, plenty of plant-based nibbles to enjoy too.
Here’s how to recreate the Art of Aperitivo, at home!
The Mood:
Italians take their food and drink customs seriously, and during my most recent trip to Italy, I couldn’t stop admiring the beautiful glassware and linens I saw everywhere. These napkins remind me of summer in Italy, and I love these classic highball glasses for mocktails and cocktails alike. Serve your Aperitivo snacks on these Sicilian-inspired platters from Williams Sonoma. You’ll also want a playlist; this one always gets me in the Italian mood.
The Food:
Aperitivo originates from the Latin word “aperire”, which means “to open”, so the food shouldn’t be so heavy that it spoils you for dinner. Pick 1-3 bites on the lighter side; it can be as simple as marinated olives and mixed nuts, taralli (one of my all-time favorite Italian imports), roasted rosemary chickpeas, or something fresh and healthy like raw veggies and white bean dip. Other common Aperitivo options in Italy include crostini with tapenade, tomato basil bruschetta, and pizzette (omit dairy cheese and sub in your favorite vegan cheese).
The Drinks:
Italians don’t see Aperitivo as an opportunity to get drunk, so cocktails are typically lower alcohol and on the lighter side. Sparkling wines and herbal, bitter cocktails are most common, such as Aperol Spritz and Negronis. Consumption is limited to a couple drinks, max.
If you’re avoiding or limiting alcohol (which is a very wise move), there are tons of great non-alcoholic options that would be perfect for Aperitivo! Current non-alcoholic favorites of mine right now include Recess seltzers/mocktails (coconut lime is my current obsession), and Seedlip spirits, plus plain old sparkling water topped with cranberry or tart cherry juice, with a wedge of lime.
I’ve also seen lots of non-alcoholic Italian Aperitivo spirits pop up that I’m dying to try, such as the Little Saints Negroni Spritz, Lyre’s Italian Spritz, andWilfred’s Bittersweet Aperitif. I’ve heard great things about this non-alcoholic sparkling rose and sparkling Brut too, both of which are in my cart as we speak!
The most important aspect of Aperitivo is not necessarily what you serve, but rather the connections and conversations that it encourages. It’s important to capture the relaxation and freedom that we experience through travel, even when we are at home living our daily lives. If we can bring home a bit of that Italian magic into our regular routines, I’m pretty sure we’d be happier people for it.