The Aperitif—It's What's Before Dinner
Summer is the season for these delightfully delicate drinks.
The purpose of an aperitif is to open the palate. Taking its name from the Latin verb aperire ("to open"), the aperitif is a light, dry premeal drink that serves to stimulate the appetite and ready one's stomach for the food yet to come. Not too sweet and not too boozy, these beverages (also called aperitivos in Italy) stoke rather than numb the taste buds. These bitter, herbaceous sips are often served with light snacks as a lovely predinner ritual.
Eating healthy should still be delicious.
Below is an introduction to the pillars of a solid aperitif menu. These beverages can, and should, be enjoyed simply—with little more than a splash of club soda, an ice cube, or a citrus twist. A couple of chilled ounces of your chosen aperitif is all you need—before dinner, at least.
VERMOUTHWhat It Is: Aromatized and fortified wine with cardamom, citrus, juniper, saffron, chamomile, or vanilla notes. ABV: 15% to 18%Where It's From: Southern France/ northern ItalyHow to Drink It as an Aperitif: In a small glass with 1 or 2 ice cubes and a lemon or orange twistWhere Else to Put It: Sweet: in a Manhattan; dry: in a gin martini
QUINQUINAWhat It Is: Aromatized and fortified wine characterized by a bitter edge from quinine-rich chinchona bark. ABV: 15% to 18%Where It's From: FranceHow to Drink It as an Aperitif: In a small glass with 1 or 2 ice cubes, a splash of club soda, and an orange sliceWhere Else to Put It: In a Corpse Reviver #2
AMERICANOWhat It Is: Aromatized and fortified wine defined by a blend of gentian, chinchona bark, and orange peels. ABV: 16%Where It's From: ItalyHow to Drink It as an Aperitif: In a small glass with 1 or 2 ice cubes, a splash of club soda, and an orange sliceWhere Else to Put It: In a Vesper
CAMPARIWhat It Is: Aromatic liqueur noted for its spicy bittersweetness from rhubarb, ginseng, oranges, and herbs. ABV: 24%Where It's From: ItalyHow to Drink It as an Aperitif: Chilled with a splash of club soda and a lemon or orange twistWhere Else to Put It: In a Negroni
APEROLWhat It Is: Aromatic liqueur (milder than Campari) infused with orange, rhubarb, gentian, and chinchona bark. ABV: 11%Where It's From: ItalyHow to Drink It as an Aperitif: Chilled with a splash of club soda and a lemon or orange twistWhere Else to Put It: In an Aperol Spritz
DIY DIGESTIFAfter-dinner drinks are important, too. A slightly richer and sweeter postdinner sip helps you to digest the meal just as a light and dry aperitif helped start it.
Berry LimoncelloHands-on: 30 min. Total: 5 days
6 large lemons1 3/4 cups vodka1 1/2 cups quartered strawberries1 cup raspberries1 cup sugar1 cup water
- Peel lemons with a vegetable peeler. Scrape pith from peels. Place peels in a large pitcher; add vodka. Cover and let stand at room temperature, away from direct light, for 4 days.
- Place berries, sugar, and water in a pan over medium; boil. Reduce heat; cook 20 minutes. Cool.
- Strain through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth. Stir into vodka; discard solids. Let stand at room temperature, away from direct light, 1 day. Strain through a fine sieve; discard peels. Chill 4 hours.
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