There are few rituals as elegant, relaxed, and deeply Italian as the aperitivo. It’s more than a drink — it’s the soft exhale of the day, a pause before dinner, and a chance to soak up the atmosphere. Whether clinking glasses over a Venetian canal, watching sunset on the Amalfi Coast, or sipping a spritz in Florence, aperitivo is your invitation to linger.
Aperitivo: Italy’s Golden Hour
The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open.” In Italian life, it opens the evening — not with a rush, but with intention. Born in the salons and cafés of northern Italy in the late eighteenth century, it began when vermouth makers invited locals to sample their aromatic infusions before dinner.
Over time, the simple pre-dinner drink became a national ritual: a moment to slow down, connect, and savour the sweetness of everyday life.
A Toast to Heritage
In Turin’s elegant cafés, Antonio Benedetto Carpano created modern vermouth by infusing white wine with herbs and spices — a concept inspired by ancient Roman customs. He promoted it as the perfect drink to “open the appetite.”
By the mid-nineteenth century, sipping a bitter, aromatic liquor to aprire lo stomaco (open the stomach) had become beloved across Italy. Vermouth, Campari, and amari gained popularity, and cafés began pairing drinks with small bites.
During Italy’s Belle Époque, aperitivo became a symbol of elegance, simplicity, and connection — woven into daily life from Milan to Rome.
When and How to Indulge
The magic hour falls between six and eight in the evening, when the light softens and conversations begin. Aperitivo is never hurried; it’s about sipping, nibbling, chatting, and watching the world unfold.
Classic Aperitivo Drinks
Aperol Spritz — vibrant, fizzy, and effortlessly summery
Negroni — bold and refined
Americano (cocktail) — light and sparkling
Vermouth on the rocks — pure and traditional
Prosecco or Franciacorta — for a bubbly toast
Stuzzichini: Little Bites, Big Flavour
Aperitivo comes with stuzzichini — small, savoury snacks that awaken the palate: marinated olives, prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano, pickled vegetables (giardiniera), and crisp crostini.
In Milan, it often becomes apericena — a generous buffet of antipasti, salads, and pasta dishes that blend aperitivo and dinner.
Begin Your Aperitivo Journey
Whether you dream of sipping a spritz overlooking the lagoon in Venice or toasting in a Turin café, Long Travel will help make it happen.
Call 0333 880 5655 or contact our Italy experts online to book your stay.
Salute — your aperitivo awaits. Book today and begin your Italian evening.
