What Is Aperitivo, The Italian Pre-Meal Tradition?

1. Aperitivo Means "To Open"

[{"selector":"#anim-aaff86a2-95cb-47cf-9ec5-69e5accc7c22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-852063a6-0b41-4fbe-9f29-10574ab50ed1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” signifying its role in stimulating the appetite before dinner.

2. It’s A Daily Ritual In Italy

[{"selector":"#anim-be313ac8-9027-445f-b6bd-c0d9664ef307","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94e35c7f-ec84-4359-a27b-05158258847f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Typically enjoyed between 6 PM and 8 PM, aperitivo is a cherished evening habit, especially in cities like Milan, Turin, and Rome.

3. Classic Aperitivo Drinks

[{"selector":"#anim-4cfc0281-f389-4352-9aec-8a5e88810d7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fade6f1c-a11d-4104-babd-24f2eccc4bc3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Traditional aperitivo beverages are light and slightly bitter, including Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Campari Soda, Vermouth, and Prosecco.

4. Accompanied By Small Bites

[{"selector":"#anim-23bd0f7c-d759-41f5-822c-5be2774f4838","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d0ee80c-2a58-4a03-a741-d95de29397e7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Aperitivo is served with light snacks such as olives, cheese, cured meats, bruschetta, nuts, or small sandwiches.

5. Turin Is Its Birthplace

[{"selector":"#anim-9c174225-5761-478a-9ba1-2a39346c6460","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94bedd58-81f4-482f-aa70-2338ee73c9ce","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 205.55549%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Aperitivo originated in Turin in the 18th century when Antonio Benedetto Carpano created vermouth, a fortified wine that became a staple pre-dinner drink.

6. Milan Is The Aperitivo Capital

[{"selector":"#anim-f471ca4e-7c71-4fce-be98-3e50c5df32a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d86705a8-f76e-447c-89ab-c8657dd14908","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 376.90620%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Milan took the aperitivo culture to the next level, making it a stylish social affair.

7. It’s About Socialising, Not Just Drinking

[{"selector":"#anim-f17d5955-e11a-4026-94e8-b986b39a2c88","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a8f5cbc-0be5-4175-a130-83f5336ba505","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash More than just a drink, aperitivo is a cultural tradition that brings people together after work to relax and enjoy good company before dinner.

8. Non-Alcoholic Options Exist

[{"selector":"#anim-3cb11829-cbc2-4534-b21f-7a29b3c14564","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-775f10ff-fa2a-4505-a789-4e2d005fde9d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash For those who don’t drink alcohol, Italian aperitivo culture also includes Sanbittèr, Crodino, and Chinotto, which provide the same bitter, refreshing flavours.

[{"selector":"#anim-2b57dd19-fc86-4af4-b620-451935c1b10a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49123745-a78a-4a6e-83a1-59df349dd17d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 550.44477%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Would you love to experience aperitivo in Italy?