The Bar Journal

Aperitivo comes from the Latin “aperire” which means “to open”. This captures the very essence of what the tradition of the Italian Aperitivo is: to come together and open up, to have good conversation and stimulate the appetite.

There are two usages of the word Aperitivo:

1- AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE USUALLY SERVED BEFORE A MEAL TO STIMULATE THE APPETITE

The first evidence of the Aperitivo is traced back to monasteries many centuries ago. There were infusions made of spices, roots, dry fruit, berries under alcohol intended as a way of preserving and used for medicinal purposes but also used to stimulate the appetite before a meal. 

Aperitivo drinks started to spread all over Italy in the 19th century and it has now reached present-day with changes and evolutions.  The most traditional drinks are Milano-Torino, Negroni, Americano and Spritz.

Milano Torino – 1860 …created to celebrate the opening of the A4 motorway connection between Milan and Turin and saw the use of equal parts of the red Vermouth from Turin and the Bitter from Milan…the King of the Aperitivo

Americano – 1904 …actually born in Italy despite the name but was honored to the American tourists which were used to ask a splash of seltzer in their MI-TO

Negroni – 1919 …born in Florence thanks to Count Camillo Negroni who, bored with the same drink (Americano), he asked the bartender to add a sprinkle of gin instead of the seltzer.

Spritz – 1800…originated towards the end of the 19th century in the territory of Lombardy-Venetia.  The word Spritz derives from the Austrian word “Spritzen” which means “to splash”.  It seems that the Hapsburg (Austrian) soldiers were considering the local wine too strong, so to make the wine lighter, they used to add a splash of sparkling water.

Over the years and the beginning of the 20^th century the drink has “grown-up” with the infinite variety of possible additions of liqueurs, bitters or even vermouth: Campari, Cynar, Italicus, Select are just some example of a very large variety of products…

2 – A MOMENT OF THE DAY TO SOCIALIZE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES DRINKS AND NIBBLES

While most of the world when they hear Aperitivo think of “happy hour”, however in Italy it’s not the whole story. Yes, Aperitivo is like a cocktail hour.  But it is one where the food tends to involve much more than the olives, peanuts or crisps you’d get back home.

And, unlike American “happy hours,” it has nothing to do with discounts. (if you ever see an Aperitivo in Italy advertised as “cocktail hour,” run the other way.  Those words mean it caters to tourists, not locals!)… Instead, with your drink, you usually get a little “bonus,” like a plate of snacks brought with your drink, or access to a buffet of food.

For Italians, Aperitivo is a glorious few hours—generally between 5 pm and 9 pm—when they can relax post-work over a glass of wine or a Spritz and some “consistent” snacks.  Italian food customs are very regional. That goes for Aperitivo, too!

SALUTE! 

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