“L’appetito vien mangiando,” is one of our favorite Italian sayings at Eataly. Why? It roughly translates to, “Eating awakens the appetite.”
We could not agree more, which is why we love 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 spritz, which is made with Prosecco, Aperol, and mineral water.
More flexible today, orders range from wine to beer to a variety of mixed drinks.
Typical aperitivo fare includes crackers, olives, meats, cheeses, and bread.
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