What is Aperitivo? Here Are Interesting Facts About It

Aperitivo, or Aperitif, is a pre-meal drink and it is basically an Italian happy hour. The word Aperitivo comes from the Latin word Aperire, with means to open. So, you could say, Aperitivo “opens the stomach” before dinner. And in Italy, there’s a saying “L’appetito vien mangiando,” – which kind of means Eating awakens the appetite. 

People think Aperitivo was invented by Antonio Benedetto Carpano of Torino, Italy in 1786. Antonio was also an investor in one of the first types of sweet vermouth. This distiller said that his vermouth and various herbs and spices stimulated the appetite. And as such, it became one of the first popular aperitivo drinks. Today, the Italian Aperitivo has evolved and has exploded in popularity over the past 20 years – so much so that other people have claimed to have invented it. 

Today, Italians enjoy Aperitivo usually in the early evening hours. The Aperitivo hour starts around 6:30 to 7:30 pm. It’s not made to replace dinner because Italians eat dinner around 8:30 pm or even later on the weekends. So, the time to socialize with friends before dinner is around 6:30 pm.

What Makes Aperitivo So Special?

If Aperitivo is an Italian happy hour, what makes it so special about it? The thing that sets Aperitivo aside from happy hour everywhere else, is the fact that when you order drinks, it also comes with complimentary food! Usually, the typical Aperitivo will cost something between €5-10 depending on how much food they will serve. The type of food varies a lot depending on where you have your Aperitivo in Italy. In some places, it can be some light snacks and a full buffet of food.

This tradition has become so popular that some bars specialize in Aperitivo and have an amazing spread of finger foods included with your simple drink. In fact, some people have Aperitivo every day (or every other day), and then skip dinner! Also, other Italians made up a new word Apericena which is a combination of the words Aperitivo and Cena (dinner) meaning let’s go out for casual food. 

How To Pick A Good Aperitivo Place

If you want to experience this great Italian culture but don’t know where to go, here are some tips:

• First, stay away from tourist areas. The restaurants in front of the Pantheon in Rome or across the street from the Duomo in Florence are way more expensive than they should be.
• Second, ask the locals –  they will be more than happy to suggest their favorite Aperitivo place. In particular, ask people in their 20’s or 30’s. They will know for sure a great place for Aperitivo.
• Third, if you see a lot of people, especially in their 20’s and 30’s, at a bar eating and drinking a classic cocktail or white wine, that might be a great place to go for Aperitivo.
• Lastly, poke your head inside the bar, if you see a great spread of food it should be the right place!

What Do People Typically Drink For Aperitivo?

Usually, Italians drink sparkling wine, beer, or Aperol Spritz which is a little Aperol with an orange slice, carbonated water, and a splash of prosecco. Now, some people might also drink gin tonic or some other cocktails for aperitivo – so there are no set rules. But, this is the only time that Italians drink Aperol spritz. If you walk in front of a restaurant and you see someone drinking Spritz with their food you can be 100% sure that the person is not Italian. Italians only drink wine, water, or beer with their meals. Kids might drink soda but it is not very common at all. Also, if you are not in a tourist city like Rome, Venice, or Milan and you ask for a dirty martini with 2 olives at a restaurant, chances are that they have no idea of what you are asking.

Different areas in Italy have their own popular drinks. For example, in Milan, they have a Campari Spritz. In Venice, they have the Venetian Spritz, which uses Select instead of Aperol. Select is a bitter aromatic dark red liquor that is used in combination with prosecco. Interestingly though, the further south you go, the less popular the spritz is. But it’s becoming fashionable.

Do They Serve Non-Alcoholic Drinks For Aperitivo?

Yes, if you don’t drink alcohol, there are several non-alcoholic drinks you can choose from. The first one is called Bitter and it comes in two versions red and white. They taste the same they just have different colors. These drinks have a mildly bitter taste, carbonated, and are usually served with ice and a slice of orange. The second choice is called Crodino.

This carbonated drink tastes very similar to Aperol but it has no alcohol. It is citrusy again with a very mild bitter taste. It is served with ice and a slice of orange as well. Lastly, many Aperitivo bars offer virgin mocktails usually with fruit juice. Just ask your waiter what they suggest to you.