Liquid Learning
Amari, Aperitivo, & digestivo
What is Aperitivo?
An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink; the experience of aperitivo is a cultural ritual. Derived from the Latin aperire, the tradition is meant “to open” the stomach before dining. Accordingly, for centuries Italians have said cheers – cin cin – over drinks and appetizers in the early evening hours between work and dinner.
Think: happy hour 2.0.
Traditionally, an aperitivo is a carbonated, bitter, and low-alcohol beverage, such as the Aperol spritz, which is made with Prosecco, Aperol, and a spritz of sparkling mineral water. More flexible today, orders range from wine to beer to a variety of mixed drinks. We are especially partial to the Negroni, a classic cocktail made with equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin.
Typical aperitivo fare includes crackers, olives, meats, cheeses, and bread. If you have ever enjoyed a salumi-and-formaggi board with a glass of wine you have had an aperitivo – even if you did not realize it! It's that easy!
What is a Digestivo?
Digestivi (“digestives,” in English) are often in the class of amari, or Italian bitters. Amari are made by infusing grape brandy with a blend of herbs, flowers, aromatic roots and bark, citrus peels, and spices. The infused brandy is then sweetened with sugar syrup and aged for a few weeks up to a few years.
Herbal on the nose and almost medicinal on the palate, the resulting amari were originally portioned out as a treatment for ailments ranging from an upset stomach to cholera. Over time, Italians began to serve amari after meals; it was thought that the bitter taste cued the body to accelerate digestion. And thus, the delicious Italian digestivo tradition was born.
Today, Italy boasts hundreds of varieties of amari; each producer jealousy guards its secret recipe, often passed down from generation to generation. Like other Italian products, amari flavors tend to vary from region to region. Southern Calabria is known for amari spiked with bergamot flowers, while the rhubarb typical to northern Lombardia is the bitter flavor of choice.