Create the Italian Aperitivo at Home

The aperitivo is a quintessentially Italian tradition that is enjoyed with friends and family as a post-work/pre-dinner ritual. The aperitivo is made up of cocktails, small canapes and conversation designed to hold you over until dinner and may be enjoyed over an hour or two. The Italians have perfected the art of the aperitivo, and no matter where you go in Italy, you’ll see the tradition in play with regional tweaks. For example, in Venice, it’s common to see whole bars dedicated to the aperitivo, serving fizzy orange Aperol Spritzes and cicchetti (small plates à la tapas). No matter what city or region you visit, you’ll always see people socializing and—because it’s Italy—food and drink is always the star of the show.

Drinks for an Italian Aperitivo

Even though we’re dreaming sipping prosecco on the lush lawns of any of our beautiful selection of Tuscany villas, any standard kitchen table or backyard patio will do. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: An Italian aperitivo can be enjoyed at home as well. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: The negroni is the perfect cocktail for an aperitivo. All you need is equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari (a bitter herbal liqueur), stirred over ice. (Pro tip: keep your vermouth in the fridge to keep it fresh.) It’s easy to riff on the negroni by swapping out the gin with prosecco, which makes it a negroni sbagliato or the “mistaken” negroni. The prosecco makes the cocktail a little lighter in alcohol, too.

The Aperol Spritz is another timeless aperitivo. It’s an easy assembling job with one-part Aperol, one-part prosecco and a splash of sparkling water, plus a wedge of orange to garnish. There are tons of other Italian aperos to try. For something a bit different, you could try making cocktails with limoncello, a sunshine-yellow Italian spirit made with sweet lemons from the Amalfi Coast. You can even try making your own limoncello if you’re feeling crafty, but limoncello cocktails are certainly a bit easier to assemble and the punchy spirit mixes well with prosecco or even sparkling water. Limoncello can also be enjoyed on its own, but that’s traditionally considered more a post-dinner drink or digestivo.

Food for an Italian Aperitivo

Alongside good drinks and good company, food is the other key component to an Italian aperitivo. In Italy, some bars set out whole aperitivo buffets and massive spreads, while other bars will serve you a few little bites with your drink. At home, you can make your aperitivo offering as simple or elaborate as you wish. Good quality salumi, such as prosciutto, is a good option, as are firm Italian cheeses: you can’t go wrong with a salty chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino. Add potato chips, marinated olives, or jars of vegetables in olive oil (red peppers, artichokes, etc.). Anything salty is a good idea! Also, incorporate seasonal autumn flavors too, as Italians eat with the seasons.

In terms of setting, while an Italian palazzo or sun-splashed terrace is the ideal spot for an Italian aperitivo (who wouldn’t want to spend aperitivo hour on the dreamy pool patio of Vista Galli overlooking the Isle of Capri or on one of these other gorgeous terraces?), a trip to Italy is not strictly required. An evening picnic aperitivo in the park or in your backyard will be (nearly) as delightful.

When you’re ready to start planning an Italian holiday then we’re here to help. Contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123, and we’ll help get the ball rolling.

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Italian Aperitivo

So let’s focus instead on the word itself: aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire which means “to open,” which makes sense, since one of the purposes of aperitivo hour is to “open” your appetite for dinner later on. We also love the idea that the aperitivo is meant to be enjoyed with friends or family, and so it “opens” people to each other’s company and helps to spark conversations and relaxation.

As for the drink itself, there is no one specific drink that is classified as the go-to aperitivo beverage, but there are a few popular options: an Aperol spritz, a Negroni, or wine, to name a few. It’s customary to choose a more bitter drink rather than a sweeter one, as this helps to stimulate the appetite. Popular snacks to enjoy alongside the drink include cheeses, olives, or nuts — again, something savory to stimulate the appetite. Also, it’s important not to fill up on the snacks — these are meant to be the introduction to dinner, not the meal itself!

Terraces in Italy

Now that we’ve given you some background on the aperitivo in Italy, it’s time to talk about those amazing terraces.

Giada Penthouse in Rome

Who says you can’t have a spacious, verdant terrace in the middle of a bustling city? This gorgeous, panoramic terrace reaches from the living room by an internal staircase. A delightful place to relax with a cocktail and catch up on the day’s events before heading out to one of the many wonderful restaurants. We recommend a little vino rosso (red wine) or prosecco (sparkling white) for your Roman aperitivo!

Santa Croce Mimi in Florence

This is the terrace to end all terraces: just look at that stunning view of Santa Croce! Plus, this apartment is situated in a historic palazzo (yes, that translates to palace) that’s decorated with frescoes from 1620! An important part of aperativo culture in Italy is taking a moment to really savor the little pleasures in life, and a drink on this terrace is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment to savor. There is always something to observe in the piazza even if just the daily life of Florence or the play of light on the beautiful facade of the famous cathedral. For anyone interested in sports, there are also soccer matches that take place in the piazza in front of Santa Croce during the month of June, so there’s the added bonus of some free entertainment during your evening apero. Plus you’ll easily have the best seat in the arena!

Memoria in Florence

The name of this stunning apartment is an apt one: this is a terrace with views that you’ll remember forever. There is a table and chairs for two on the terrace, so it’s perfect for a romantic getaway. From the terrace you’ll be able to enjoy views of one of the most famous (and photographed) rivers in Europe, the Arno, as well as its most famous bridge: the Ponte Vecchio where travelers have crossed the river for thousands of years. This little terrace is perfect for anyone who enjoys timeless views with their appetizers and cocktails!

Serenata in Venice

This apartment was basically made for a private aperitivo hour. Serenata has a private rooftop terrace with a view of canals and gondolas. We would recommend that your apero of choice be the Bellini, one of Venice’s signature drinks!

So there you have it! Have we convinced you yet to plan your aperitivo tour of Italy? If so, you can contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123 and we’ll help you find the terrace of your aperitivo dreams.

The post 5 Terraces In Italy That Will Change Your Italian Aperitivo Forever appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.