An Italian Aperitivo...

While I am away, and basking in the sun, I leave you with this fun way to spend an afternoon:

It's always fun to celebrate traditions from other cultures, so today we are Italian!

If you haven't been to Italy, add it to your Bucket List!

The Grand Canal, Venice 2014

We call it Happy Hour, but the Italians call it aperitivo!

We were introduced to aperitivo a few years ago while in Venice.

What is the Italian aperitivo?

An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink.  Northern Italy defined aperitivo culture as we know it today: a spread of red or orange spritzes made with bitter liqueurs and Prosecco, topped with soda water, and served with a salty spread of bar snacks.  This gained international curiosity in the 20th century upon being the first cocktail mentioned in the James Bond novels!

The top aperitivo cocktails to serve are:

Aperol spritz: 1 1/4 oz Aperol, 2 oz Prosecco, Splash of Soda water

Negroni: one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, garnished with orange peel

Hugo: Scoop a handful of ice into a large wine glass along with some torn mint leaves and add  elderflower cordial with a splash of soda water then top up with Prosecco. Garnish with a wheel of lime.

1. Americano: Campari, sweet vermouth, club soda and garnished with a slice of lemon.
2. Peach Bellini: Puréed white peaches and Prosecco

My favorite is a Peach Bellini, which is not bitter to me like the other cocktails....

and in a pinch, these aren't too bad:

So, what do you serve to nibble on?
 Create a little charcuterie tray which can include any of the following:
Herby marinated olives, prosciutto finger sandwiches with homemade aioli, salami puffs, soppressata, sardines, prosciutto with melon, bruschetta, nuts, potato chips.

And what do you say in Italian before you drink?

"cin cin" or "salute"!

I thought for sure this Irish gal might have a little Italian in her DNA.  I have always loved Pasta and enjoy a glass of wine now and then and I so wanted to have a touch of Italian in my genes.  

But my DNA results proved me wrong!

Venice, along the canal 2014

I hope you can enjoy an aperitivo soon!