aperitif
Appetite-whetting beverage
An aperitif is an alcoholic drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
The category includes dry wines, vermouth, champagne, and bitter liqueurs—drinks that aren't sweet or heavy.
We had aperitifs on the terrace before dinner.
The ritual is more common in European dining culture than American.
Herb-infused fortified wine
- CampariItalian bitter aperitif
- AperolBitter orange Italian liqueur
- sherryFortified wine from Spain
- proseccoItalian effervescent white wine
pastis · Pernod · Dubonnet · spritz · martini · fino · amontillado · manzanilla
Drink at dusk
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
hospitality · conviviality · mingling · entertaining · salon · fête · rendezvous · icebreaker
Sharp, unpleasant taste
- herbalRelating to medicinal plants
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
- fortifiedMade more resistant
- dryFree from moisture
effervescent · sparkling · chilled · crisp · refreshing · botanical · anise · citrus
Small Mediterranean fruits
- almondsEdible tree drupes
- nutsSeeds in shells
- charcuteriePreserved meat preparation
- canapéTopped bite-sized appetizer
crudités · tapenade · bruschetta · antipasto · mezze · hors-d'oeuvre · nibbles · amuse-bouche
vermouth
Herb-infused fortified wine
prosecco · pastis · Pernod · Dubonnet · spritz · martini · fino · amontillado · manzanilla · ouzo
sundowner
Drink at dusk
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
welcome · hospitality · conviviality · mingling · entertaining · salon · fête · rendezvous · icebreaker · socializing
bitter
Sharp, unpleasant taste
dry · effervescent · sparkling · chilled · crisp · refreshing · botanical · anise · citrus · bittersweet
olives
Small Mediterranean fruits
- almondsEdible tree drupes
- nutsSeeds in shells
- charcuteriePreserved meat preparation
canapé · crudités · tapenade · bruschetta · antipasto · mezze · hors-d'oeuvre · nibbles · amuse-bouche · cornichons
whet
Make cutting edge keener
anticipation · stimulate · savor · foretaste · prelude · awaken · tempting · tantalizing · peckish · pique
- beverageswater, coffee, tea, juice, milk
- Alcoholic Drinksbeer, wine, vodka, rum, whiskey
- drinkscocktail, liquor, cocktails, martini, margarita
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, tasting menu, degustation
- barbartender, bartending, mixologist, mixology, bar stool
- aperitifsAperol, Aperol spritz, Campari, spritz, vermouth