Demystifying the Aperitivo--Its Not Italian for Happy Hour!

My friends and family know I’m passionate about Italian wine. But I’m also a big fan of the aperitivo.  I recently had a couple friends over for appetizers and suggested I make a Spritz for them and their response was “a what?”  When I explained it was a traditional drink served as an aperitvo, I received another quizzical look.  Hence today’s post.  

Note that aperitivo italiano is NOT a “Happy Hour” in the traditional sense. In fact, if I ever see an Italian bar advertising “Happy Hour,” I know it must cater to tourists. The Happy Hour in America usually refers to drinks and light food at a discount.  In Italy, Aperitivo is plain and simply a pre-dinner drink or the word is used to describe the ritual of going out.  Literally translated it means to “open” the palate and it gives you a chance to socialize, relax, and nibble as dinner approaches. 

Drinks during aperitivo are not discounted. In fact they often have a small supplement called “a consumazione” which is added to them to compensate for the refreshments being offered.. How much supplement will depend on the reputation and location of bar.  I’ve had an aperitivo with fresh mozzarella, varied crostini, and cured meats at a beautiful bar in the center of town in Cortona for only 2.50 euro. But if you order a simple cocktail, which comes with just potato chips at a small table overlooking the Duomo in Florence, you will pay a whopping 15 euro! 
A good aperitivo ranges from 6 to 10 euro and can be a good meal replacement if the buffet is plentiful.
On my recent trip to Florence, my husband and I met with Coral to go on an aperitivo tour.  Coral has lived in Florence for many years and is certified in Food and Wine Pairing and Culinary Tourism from the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence.  So she knows her stuff and boy did we benefit from her knowledge.  We started our evening at a lovely wine bar near the Ponte Vecchio with a beautiful glass of prosecco and some yummy crostini smothered in fontina cheese and hot Italian sausage.  We were on our way to a wonderful evening.  Coral curates your evening with food and cocktail pairings that only Florentines know about.  It is the perfect way to venture out onto the streets on your first night in Florence.   

If you decide to venture out on your own here are a few suggestions:
--A good rule of thumb for evening aperitivo is from 7-9pm. Lunch aperitivo can be offered from 12pm on and you can even find a mid-afternoon aperitivo. Make sure you check with your particular bar because there are some hours which will be “peak” times and potential buffets will be more plentiful.
--What is offered with your aperitivo drink really depends on the bar. A few olives and potato chips are the classic offering, though some get very elaborate with fresh pizza, cold cuts like prosciutto and bresaola, fresh savory pastries and even fresh mozzarella in some bars!
--Aperitivo drinks are divided into two categories: alcolici (alcoholic), and analcolici (non-alcoholic / “virgin”) drinks. Analcolici drinks can range from a soft drink like Coca Cola to delicious fruit juice cocktails (aperitivo analcolico alla frutta) to a non-alcoholic bitter like Sanbitter.
--If the aperitivo’s liquor selection is extensive, a wide selection of cocktails will be available. You can find traditional American cocktails like Manhattans to Cosmopolitans to Mojitos. For many Italians, Campari is their drink of choice for aperitivo, and it forms the base of many traditional Italian aperitivo drinks.
--Here are some “traditional” aperitivo drinks:

Negroni is gin, vermouth and Campari, and garnished with an orange peel..

Americano is a Negroni substituting club soda for the gin, making it lighter.

Spritz is Aperol liquor, prosecco and club soda and garnished with a slice of orange.

Bellini – invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice is a real treat.  It is prosecco and fresh peach juice. Obviously this is seasonal and rare.  If its on the menu, order it.  You won’t be disappointed. 

So before your next voyage to Italy you should practice saying, “Let’s go get an aperitivo” or “Prendiamo un aperitivo.” Or you can come with me and Coral and sit back and enjoy learning the new language of nightfall in Florence! Cin Cin!