Aperitivo is much more than just a drink – it is an Italian tradition, a moment to slow down after a long day and enjoy good company with friends or colleagues. In Italy, aperitivo is synonymous with coziness, socializing and of course good food and drink. It is a ritual that ranges from a simple drink before dinner to a full "apericena" where you can enjoy a selection of snacks and delicacies.
The word "aperitivo" comes from the Latin aperire , which means "to open", because its primary purpose is to stimulate the appetite before a meal. The tradition dates back to the 19th century, when vermouth was first introduced as a pre-dinner drink. Over time, the aperitivo evolved into a social event, especially in big cities like Milan, Turin and Venice, where bars and cafes began to offer snacks along with the drinks.
While a glass of Prosecco, a nice white wine or an ice-cold beer are always a good choice, cocktails play a central role in this tradition. Here are five iconic Italian aperitivo cocktails with their history and recipes.
Negroni: Italian elegance in a glass
The Negroni is one of the world's most famous cocktails and was invented in Florence in 1919. Count Camillo Negroni wanted a stronger version of the classic Americano and asked his bartender to replace the sparkling water with gin. The result was a sophisticated and well-balanced drink that quickly became a classic.
Ingredients:
- 3 cl gin
- 3 cl red vermouth
- 3 cl bitters (Campari)
- Ice
- Orange slice for decoration
Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice, stir gently, and garnish with an orange slice.
Negroni Sbagliato: A happy mistake
In the 1970s, a bartender at Bar Basso in Milan made a mistake: He used sparkling wine instead of gin when making a Negroni. The result? A lighter, fresher, and more bubbly version of the classic cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 3 cl sparkling wine (brut)
- 3 cl red vermouth
- 3 cl bitters (Campari)
- Ice
- Orange slice for decoration
Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice, stir gently, and garnish with an orange slice.
Aperol Spritz: The Venetian Classic
Spritz originated in the 19th century when Austrian soldiers in Northern Italy began diluting local wines with sparkling water. The modern Aperol Spritz became popular in the 1950s when Aperol and Prosecco were added, making it the ultimate aperitivo in Venice.
Ingredients:
- 6 cl Prosecco
- 4 cl Aperol
- 2 cl sparkling water
- Ice
- Orange slice for decoration
Pour Prosecco into a glass with ice, add Aperol and sparkling water, stir gently, and garnish with an orange slice.
Variations:
- Campari Spritz : Replace Aperol with Campari for a more bitter and intense version.
- Select Spritz : Use Select instead of Aperol – a favorite in Venice ...and for me!
- Limoncello Spritz : Replace Aperol with Limoncello for a fresh, citrusy twist. Fresh mint leaves for garnish instead of the orange slice.
Americano: The Negroni's predecessor
The Americano was originally called the "Milano-Torino" because of its two main ingredients – Campari from Milan and red vermouth from Turin. In the 1930s, it became particularly popular with American tourists, leading to its current name.
Ingredients:
- 4.5 cl Campari
- 4.5 cl red vermouth
- 3-5 cl sparkling water
- Ice
- Orange slice or lemon peel for garnish
Pour Campari and vermouth into a glass with ice, add sparkling water, and garnish with an orange slice.
Garibaldi: A patriotic cocktail
Named after Italian freedom hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, this cocktail symbolizes the unity of Italy. The bright red and orange colors are reminiscent of the uniforms his troops wore.
Ingredients:
- 4.5 cl Campari
- 9 cl fresh orange juice
- Ice
Pour Campari into a glass with ice, add lightly frothed fresh orange juice, and stir gently.
Hugo: The fresh aperitivo of the Alps
Hugo is a relatively new cocktail, invented in South Tyrol in the early 2000s as a lighter alternative to Aperol Spritz. It has a fresh and aromatic taste with notes of elderflower and mint.
Ingredients:
- 6 cl Prosecco
- 2 cl elderflower syrup
- 2 cl sparkling water
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime slice
- Ice
Pour Prosecco, elderflower syrup and sparkling water into a glass with ice, stir gently and garnish with fresh mint and lime.
ItaliaMia's Perfect Aperitivo Board
An authentic Italian aperitivo is not complete without a sumptuous selection of delicacies. Pair your cocktails with a luxurious aperitivo board from ItaliaMia, filled with authentic Italian specialties:
- Italian salami , voglietta , guanciale (thinly sliced for a gourmet experience), prosciutto crudo, mortadella
- Cheese, such as Parmigiano Reggiano , Pecorino , Caciocavallo, Provolone
- Olives, taralli, grissini and focaccia
With these cocktails and a delicious selection of Italian flavors, you can enjoy a true aperitivo – no matter where you are.
The authentic Italian experience – right in your living room
Aperitivo is a tradition that brings people together, creates great memories and whets the appetite with tasty drinks and delicate snacks. Whether you prefer a classic Negroni, a refreshing Aperol Spritz or a bubbly Hugo, you can easily create an authentic Italian aperitivo atmosphere at home.
Take a moment to enjoy the moment – just like the Italians do.
Buon aperitivo!
