Recently, I was invited to a friend’s birthday party at a local bar in Kortrijk. As soon as I arrived, someone handed me an alcoholic beverage served in a small cute glass. My friend casually mentioned that it was an apéritif. From that moment on, I was curious about what is an apéritif, why and how to serve it. Now, let me take this opportunity to share my findings with you. Simply put, apéritif is a refreshing flavourful libation with an interesting history. So, let’s dive right in.
The history of apéritif
It all started with the Romans who considered that warm spices like star anise, nutmeg, bitter herbs like wormwood, and gentian had medicinal properties that helped to cleanse the digestive tract and aid in all kinds of stomach ills. They preferred to have concoctions combined with these herbs and spices before meals. This is where the idea of apéritifs began.
The word apéritif comes from the Latin apérire, meaning “to open”. Traditionally, in French and Italian culture, apéritifs are alcoholic beverages known to open or stimulate your appetite for upcoming meals. In Italy, apéritivo is more than just a drink. During the late afternoon or early evening, people raise glasses of apéritivos to wish good health and good times to each other.
Now, inspired by this popular European custom, these light and low-proof drinks are considered a Kickstarter of a remarkable night in style all over the world. The best time to drink an apéritif is at least 30 to 60 minutes before dinner.
Types of apéritifs
Although apéritifs are supposed to be made up of herbs and spices with specific flavour profiles, nowadays, any drink served before dinner could be referred to as an apéritif. There are no strict rules. Here I am going to discuss some types of traditional apéritifs –
- Campari is a stronger Italian apéritif carrying a bitter flavour. Because of its herbaceous flavour, it is a mandatory ingredient for making apéritif cocktails like Negroni and Americano.
- Sherry is a Spanish boozy dry wine that gets served chilled as an apéritif. Especially dry sherry is a popular choice with the side of olives and cheeses.
- Vermouth is a wine infused with wormwood. The botanical flavour of this drink leaves a bitter aftertaste believed to aid in digestion. It has a higher alcohol content than wine and is used exclusively in a wide range of apéritif cocktails like Martini, Negroni etc.
- Aperol is a popular apéritif because of its bitter-sweet taste. The drink has a complex aromatic profile that allures anyone who likes to have a light flavourful drink before dinner.
- Ricard also referred to as Pastis is a coveted French apéritif containing natural ingredients like star anise, liquorice, fennel and so much more. Since it has a high ABV (45%), it is typically served mixed with cold water and ice.
If you are visiting the Kortrijk region in Belgium and looking for a local bar to have apéritifs or apéritif cocktails, visit Moodis. Here you will get a broad range of the best apéritif drinks.
Are you familiar with any other types of Apéritifs? Do let us know!
Top Apéritif Cocktail Recipes
Elegant Kir Royale
Kir Royale is an elegant classic apéritif cocktail that is simple to make yet packs a punch. It is another popular variation of the classic Kir cocktail and originates from France. The remarkable balance of sweet and tarty flavour makes it a favoured choice for anyone looking for a rich and fruity taste in their cocktail. It is made up of mainly three ingredients, champagne or sparking wine, créme de cassis and lemon twist for garnishing.
Bold Negroni
Negroni is a classic Italian apéritif cocktail that comes with a bitter, sweet and herbal flavour. It is a velvety textured apéritif cocktail usually served in an old-fashioned whiskey glass with ice. The main ingredients that build up bold Negroni are sweet vermouth, gin and Campari. Some people use dry vermouth to decrease the sweetness of this cocktail.
Fancy Manhattan
Crafting a perfect Manhattan cocktail is not difficult, it can be easily made at home with the right proportion of the ingredients. To make a serving of Manhattan, you will need to stir Bourbon or Rye, sweet vermouth and bitters like Angostura together and voila! Enjoy it with your company while unwinding in the early evening.
How to serve apéritif?
If you are throwing a party at a bar and wondering how to serve an apéritif, let me tell you, apéritifs need to be served in small portions preferably in shot glasses chilled or with ice. Offering an apéritif while welcoming your guests to your party will ensure that your party is a hit which will make you a fantastic host. Now, who would not want that?
Best Food Pairings with Apéritifs
Pairing your apéritifs with the right food is as significant as having the right soundtrack to set the mood for the party itself. For example, if you have chosen to go with Kir Royale as an apéritif, it goes best with oysters, cheese platters and mixed berries. You can choose based on your guests’ preferences.
You can pair Negroni with charcuterie, cheese and gourmet burgers to elevate the overall apéritif drinking experience.
The best way to pair Manhattan is with goat cheese or cheddar cheese. You can add the cheese to the top of a cracker, and a great appetizer is ready to be served with a fancy apéritif.
Conclusion
So, I guess, now you know almost everything you need to know about apéritifs. Next time, you are at a party and familiarising yourself with a new apéritif, do not forget to share your experience with me.
