Want to elevate your dining experience? Mastering the Italian traditions of aperitivo (pre-meal drinks) and digestivo (post-meal drinks) is key. Here's the essence:
- Aperitivo: Served before dinner (7:00 PM–9:00 PM) to stimulate your appetite. Think light, bitter cocktails like Negroni or Spritz paired with small snacks like olives or cheeses.
- Digestivo: Enjoyed after dessert to aid digestion. Popular choices include herbal liqueurs like Amari, Fernet, or chilled Limoncello.
Quick Tips:
- Serve aperitivo chilled with proper glassware to set the tone.
- Offer digestivo at room temperature or slightly chilled, focusing on small portions for slow sipping.
These traditions aren't just about drinks - they're about creating a flavorful journey from start to finish.
Pre-Meal Drinks: The Aperitivo Hour
History and Timing
The aperitivo tradition has roots as far back as the 1300s when advancements in distillation turned medicinal drinks into something more enjoyable. The version we know today took shape in 18th-century Turin. Typically enjoyed between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM - just before the traditional Italian dinner (usually from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM) - the word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning "to open", as in opening the appetite .
Popular Aperitivo Drinks and Snacks
Some classic aperitivo drinks include:
- The Negroni: Originating in Florence in 1919, this mix features ESTATE Sweet Vermouth, gin, and Asterley Original Aperitivo.
- The Spritz: A refreshing blend of Asterley Original Aperitivo, Prosecco, and sparkling water.
- The Americano: A combination of ESTATE Sweet Vermouth, Asterley Original Aperitivo, and soda water.
These drinks are traditionally served with cicchetti - small savory snacks like olives, aged cheeses, cured meats, and mini pizzas.
"For us Italians, it's taboo to drink without eating. I consider it a healthy habit. The English 'liquid lunch' does a lot of damage to the body."
– Valeria Bassetti, ShakHer
Together, these drinks and snacks create the perfect prelude to an evening meal.
How to Serve Aperitivo
Serving aperitivo is an art, and attention to detail makes all the difference:
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Temperature Control
- Keep vermouth and aperitivos chilled in the refrigerator before serving.
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Glassware Choices
- Use large wine or stemmed balloon glasses for spritz cocktails.
- Opt for old-fashioned or rocks glasses for Negronis.
- Serve vermouth-based drinks in stemmed cocktail glasses.
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Serving Technique
- Start by adding ice to the glass.
- Pour Prosecco first to maintain its bubbles.
- Stir gently to preserve the drink's effervescence.
- Garnish with an orange slice for a spritz or a citrus twist for a Negroni.
"It's born out of the desire to separate the time dedicated to work from free time. All the emotional fuzz and atmosphere around it - that's what an aperitivo is."
– Valeria Bassetti, ShakHer
What is the Aperitivo?
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After-Dinner Drinks: The Digestivo
After the lively aperitivo hour, digestivi provide a calm and reflective way to wrap up the dining experience.
Types and Flavors
Digestivi are known for their ability to support digestion while delivering rich, botanical flavors. Their bitter and aromatic profiles make them a classic choice to end Italian meals.
Here are some common types:
- Amari: Herbal liqueurs designed to help with digestion.
- Fernet: Intense, bitter spirits with strong herbal notes.
- Grappa: A clear brandy distilled from grape pomace.
- Herbal Liqueurs: Spirits that showcase regional botanical ingredients.
"Most, but certainly not all, digestifs are notably bitter, and are often made with herbs, roots, bark, spices, fruit or flowers. In my opinion, they're the perfect way to finish a wonderful meal with an exclamation point." - Bijan Ghiai, beverage director at Urban Hill
Regional Favorites
Italy's regions each have their own digestivo specialties. In Veneto, grappa takes center stage, especially in the historic distilleries of Bassano del Grappa. Venice is known for Cynar, a bittersweet amaro made with artichokes. Southern Italy leans toward Limoncello, while Rome often serves Sambuca, either on its own or paired with coffee.
These local drinks reflect the unique traditions of their regions and are best enjoyed when served thoughtfully.
How to Serve Digestivi
The way digestivi are served is different from aperitivi, focusing on closing the meal rather than sparking the appetite.
Here are some serving tips:
- Temperature: Serve amari and fernet at room temperature. Chill fruit-based liqueurs like Limoncello, or serve them over ice, especially in warm weather.
- Glassware: Use snifters for aged spirits, small tulip glasses for herbal liqueurs, and pour portions of 30-60 ml.
- Timing: Serve digestivi after dessert and coffee, or alongside coffee for a traditional touch.
Encourage slow sipping to fully enjoy the intricate flavors, making it a perfect end to the meal.
Planning Your Pre and Post-Dinner Drinks
Flavour Progression
Moving from aperitivo to digestivo isn't just about timing; it's about creating a smooth transition in taste. Start with lighter, refreshing drinks like SCHOFIELD'S Dry Vermouth in a classic cocktail or Asterley Original Aperitivo in a spritz. As dinner nears, introduce something richer, such as ESTATE Sweet Vermouth in a Negroni variation, to bridge the gap between pre- and post-meal flavors. After dinner, go for Dispense Amaro, served neat or on the rocks, and finish strong with Britannica London Fernet. This approach ensures each drink shines while guiding your guests through a thoughtful flavor journey. Pairing these drinks with desserts can further elevate the experience.
Dessert and Digestivo Combinations
Pairing dessert with digestivos can add a whole new layer to your meal. Certified Sommelier Amelia Jacobsen offers some expert advice:
"When I want a cocktail to offer a reprieve from a dessert, I will choose something with bubbles or a lot of crispness. Champagne will cut through the sugary sour-ness of a lemon bar."
She also notes:
"By mimicking flavours, a dessert experience can become intensified... For example, a Grasshopper with chocolate cake makes for an amplified chocolate experience."
Use these tips to explore combinations that either complement or contrast dessert flavors. The goal is to enhance the experience without overpowering the palate.
Setting Up Your Service
To make your service smooth and enjoyable, plan the setup carefully. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Glassware: wine glasses, rocks glasses, and digestivo glasses
- Accessories: an ice bucket with tongs, small plates for snacks
- Essentials: water carafes and glasses
Timing Tips:
- Serve aperitivo 30–60 minutes before dinner
- Offer digestivos after dessert or during coffee service
Make sure pre-dinner drinks are chilled, while digestivos are served at room temperature.
"I don't think that there's any wrong way to have a digestivo." – Domenic Brannuzzi of Grapperia
Conclusion
Understanding how to serve aperitifs and digestifs can transform a meal into a memorable experience. These drinks serve distinct purposes: aperitifs prepare the palate before dining, while digestifs offer a satisfying close to the meal.
Timing is key for aperitivo service - serve drinks promptly to set the right tone. Asterley Original Aperitivo, whether mixed with tonic or turned into a spritz, is a great choice. It stimulates the appetite without overpowering the palate.
"Aperitivo is a signal that your workday is through and it's time to settle into the evening... On the other hand, digestivo is for when the meal is over but you're still enjoying your company. It's a way to elongate your meal and relax with friends over one last drink."
When serving digestifs, keep portions small (90–100 ml). Britannica London Fernet, served neat or over ice, offers a rich, botanical finish that’s perfect for closing out the meal.
"The digestif is the closing act - a refined way to finish dinner and reflect."
For a smooth dining experience, keep these tips in mind:
- Serve aperitifs within 2 minutes of the order.
- Avoid strong, spirit-heavy drinks before meals.
- Offer digestifs after dessert.
- Choose digestifs that complement the meal’s flavors.
This thoughtful flow - from a palate-awakening aperitivo to a finishing digestivo - captures the essence of a true Italian dining tradition.