aperitivo
Italian cocktail hour
Aperitivo is the Italian tradition of pre-dinner drinks accompanied by small snacks, typically enjoyed in the early evening.
The term refers both to the custom and to the drinks themselves—light, often bitter alcoholic beverages meant to stimulate appetite: Let's meet for aperitivo around six.
The practice has spread beyond Italy, with bars worldwide offering aperitivo hours featuring prosecco, spritzes, and light bites.
Light liquid burst
Grilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- olivesSmall Mediterranean fruits
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- focacciaOiled Italian flatbread with herbs
prosciutto · mortadella · grissini · nuts · chips · crudités · canapés · charcuterie
Warm, sociable good cheer
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- friendsVoluntary close relations
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
- minglingCasual social interaction
camaraderie · companionship · banter · chitchat · networking · celebration · socializing · reunion
Before the evening meal
- sundownerDrink at dusk
- piazzaPublic urban square
- barDrinking establishment
- caféCasual eatery serving drinks
twilight · evening · tradition · custom · daily · relaxation · unwinding
Herbal Italian liqueur
- gentianFlowering alpine plant
- wormwoodBitter herb for absinthe
- quinineAntimalarial alkaloid from bark
- grapefruitTangy citrus, often halved
herbal · bittersweet · infusion · tonic · digestif · liqueur · botanicals
spritz
Light liquid burst
- vermouthHerb-infused fortified wine
- proseccoItalian effervescent white wine
- americanoEspresso plus hot water
select · pastis · ouzo · rakija · sherry · blanc · rosé · sparkling
bruschetta
Grilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- olivesSmall Mediterranean fruits
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
focaccia · prosciutto · mortadella · grissini · nuts · chips · crudités · canapés · charcuterie · tapas
conviviality
Warm, sociable good cheer
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- friendsVoluntary close relations
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
mingling · camaraderie · companionship · banter · chitchat · networking · celebration · socializing · reunion · meetup
predinner
Before the evening meal
café · twilight · evening · tradition · custom · daily · relaxation · unwinding
amaro
Herbal Italian liqueur
grapefruit · herbal · bittersweet · infusion · tonic · digestif · liqueur · botanicals
- drinkingbooze, liquor, guzzling, gulping, chugging
- ItalyRome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples
- bistrobistro chairs, terrace seating, awning, sidewalk cafe, parasols
- European pastimescafe culture, pub culture, beer gardens, bocce, boules
- RomeColosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps
- Italian foodpasta, spaghetti, risotto, gnocchi, ravioli
aperitivodigestivo
Stomach-settling alcoholic drink
digestif · amaro · grappa · limoncello · nightcap
aperitivoappetite suppressant
Agent reducing hunger urge
dessert · dolce · main course · secondo · entrée