{"id":531,"date":"2022-05-24T10:32:46","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T10:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/?p=531"},"modified":"2026-01-06T17:13:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:13:54","slug":"what-is-an-aperitif","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/learn\/what-is-an-aperitif\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Aperitif and When Is It Served?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By definition, an aperitif is an alcoholic drink that is served before a meal to stimulate your appetite. But, throughout Italy, the real aperitif meaning is so much more significant than that.<\/p>\n

Coined as the \u201caperitivo moment\u201d and often accompanied by a golden sunset, this pre-dinner drink ritual has captured the hearts and minds (and Instagram feeds!) of foodies and cocktail enthusiasts alike. All over the world, it’s universally agreed that an aperitif is the best way to kick off your night in style.<\/p>\n

What’s an aperitif?<\/h2>\n

\"Friends<\/p>\n

Before dinner drinks is a nod to an 18th-century European tradition started in northwest Italy by King Vittorio Emanuele II, when he made vermouth<\/a> his preferred pre-dinner drink. It was later carried on by Count Camillo Negroni, who invented the famous Negroni<\/a> cocktail by blending sweet vermouth, gin, and bitters.<\/p>\n

So, now you that know this tradition was coined by kings and counts even before the 19th century, read on to find out how you can incorporate this royally approved ritual as a part of your next dinner party.<\/p>\n

There are many types of aperitifs, but they all share some common characteristics:<\/p>\n