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Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026Aperitif
Aperitif
An apéritif (from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open”) is a style of alcoholic beverage that is light, dry and meant to be drunk before a meal. They contain bitter, herbal or citrusy compounds to activate the taste buds and common choices include fortified wines, liqueur and brut champagne. In France, pastis, Crémant d’Alsace and Champagne are popular, in Italy, vermouth and martini may be served as apéritifs, while Sherry and Madeira are traditional British choices.
See Also
Spritzer
A wine spritzer is a low alcohol cocktail made by mixing white, red or rosé wine with sparkling or soda water. Aromatic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are commonly used.
Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini, also known as the vodka espresso, is a popular cold, caffeinated alcoholic drink. It blends brewed espresso with vodka, coffee liqueur and simple syrup to give a flavor profile that is bittersweet and strong with a velvety texture.
Vesper Martini
The Vesper Martini is a cocktail that was originally made of gin, vodka and Kina Lillet, an aromatized...
Aperol Spritz
An Aperol Spritz is an Italian aperitivo cocktail made with Prosecco, Aperol and a splash of soda water. It is vibrant orange in color, with a sparkling texture and a bittersweet taste.
Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is an elegant French cocktail made by mixing a small amount of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) with dry champagne or a sparkling wine such as Cava or Prosecco.
New York Sour
A New York Sour is a 19th century cocktail created by mixing a red wine like Malbec or Shiraz with bourbon or rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and the optional egg white (for foam).
Martini
The Martini is a classic cocktail made with gin (or vodka) and vermouth, garnished with an olive, a lemon twist or both.
Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz is an aperitif made from Prosecco, elderflower syrup (or lemon balm syrup), sparkling water and mint leaves. It was created by bartender Roland Gruber in South Tyrol in 2005, a light, floral and bubbly aperitif served over ice in a large wine glass.
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