There is possibly no greater skill than that of mastering the Italian aperitivo.
Ok, that's probably embellishing but there are few things more enjoyab...
Ok, that's probably embellishing but there are few things more enjoyable when you travel to Italy. Aperitivo is that time of day where you sit at a sidewalk cafe to people watch and reflect on the day's adventures.
Wondering if ‘aperitivo’ is Italian for happy hour? Yes and no. Aperitivo happens around the same time as happy hour, but that would be like calling a Ferrari a car -- accurate but not the whole story.
Historically aperitivo hails from the Northern Italian city of Turin and it started as a pre-dinner cocktail hour. And some of the most classic Italian cocktails like the Negroni, the Bellini, and the Spritz come from this tradition.
These days you'll see Italians across the country practicing the art of aperitivo and the cocktails served being both traditional and modern.
Along with your cocktails some will give you traditional nibbles like potato chips and olives. Meanwhile, other places will serve up an array of small bites from arancini to focaccia and risotto. Did we mention it's often just for the price of a cocktail?
Regardless of where or how you aperitivo there are a few cocktails that you'll see time and again. They are the classic Italian cocktails that are said to whet your appetite before dinner.
One of our favorite drinks at aperitivo is the Spritz. It's a cocktail served throughout the Northeast part of Italy, with a variation in almost every town from Milan to Verona to Venice. The best part is that the Spritz is a low alcohol cocktail so you can enjoy happy hour without overdoing it.
Depending where you travel in Italy, a Spritz cocktail will have a different style. You'll find the cocktail served in a variety of glasses, made with a variety of wines, and various bitter liquors.
The Aperol Spritz is probably the most common take on the cocktail you'll find. But the cocktail could made with amari ranging from the artichoke flavored liquor known a Cynar to the classic Campari.
The Aperol Spritz is one of the most popular drinks in Italy, having recently become a sort icon for classic Italian cocktails as of late.
To clarify, the Spritz is not so much one cocktail as it is a family of drinks. All Spritzes made combining wine, club soda or sparkling water, and a bitter liquor known as amari.
The reason a Spritz cocktail is so beloved? The bitter and bubbly combine to make a slightly sweet and super refreshing drink.
As for the taste, Aperol has slight bitterness compared to other amari. And that fact makes it a sort of the gateway to the whole family of liqueurs. Also the hint of rhubarb and citrus flavor makes it really food friendly and pretty perfect for a happy hour drink.
This is one of those classic cocktails because it's easy to make and easy to remember! Even so a few tips help make it amazing:
There are all sorts of modern twists on the Classic Aperol Spritz from making a White Spritz to varying the alcohol as we mentioned above. These are some more modern takes on the Aperol Spritz from adding in mezcal to making it frozen!
Okay, your turn to mix it up and try it out. Be sure to share the results with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
sliced for garnish
To Make The Spritz Cocktail: Add a few ice cubes to a wine glass, pour in the Prosecco or sparkling wine, add the Aperol and the orange slice. Pour in a splash of soda, give it a brief stir, and serve immediately.
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