Italian aperitif: a ritual that conquers the world

Some prefer it savoury, while others lean towards sweet, gourmet, or vegetarian, sometimes with an exotic or spicy twist. From the southern tip to the northern borders of the boot, including the islands, everyone loves it and orders it. What is the Italian aperitif? Much more than just a moment of the day—it’s a true “ritual” that brings a parade of finger food, savoury snacks, and appetisers including tartines, sweet brioches, flatbreads, and focaccias to the tables of bars and bistros everywhere, all accompanied by bitters, amari, wines, and the finest Italian cocktails. The recipe for preparing a perfect Italian aperitif is served! There are endless variations and traditions of the aperitif in Italy, from the classic Spritz with chips to Venetian cicchetti paired with tapas and wine, from Florentine coccoli to Neapolitan fritters. In any form, the Italian aperitif tells a story that speaks of conviviality, regional heritage, and tradition—in a word, Italianity.

A habit that has become part of the DNA of Italians and that, for this reason, has conquered the world. But how did the Italian aperitif come to be? The story begins in 1786, when Vermouth was born in a small liquor shop in Turin and soon began appearing in cafes across the city, served with appetisers and local delicacies.  From Turin, it quickly spread to the major cities of Italy, starting with Milan and the iconic Amaro Ramazzotti, followed by the popularity of drinks such as Bitter Campari and Martini Bianco, invariably paired with tastings and other delicacies.

From the era of La Dolce Vita to today, the culture of the Italian aperitif still embodies the charm of a special moment where atmosphere, service, flavours, and product quality together represent a winning alchemy.

But how to pair food and drinks for the aperitif? What are the snacks for aperitif that absolutely cannot be missed in preparing your happy hour? Behind every great drink, there is always a great snack!

• Gourmet tartines with salmon, avocado, or flavorful creams.
• Savory croissants filled with cheese and vegetables.
• Focaccia and flatbreads enhanced with aromatic herbs or olives.
• Sweet finger foods for an unexpected finale.

So, warm up the dishes, polish the glasses, and get ready to offer your guests a moment of pleasure that will captivate both their palates and hearts!