Bring a taste of la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) to your guests by offering a traditional Italian ritual: aperitivo. Drawing from popular snack and cocktail offerings loved across Italy, offering aperitivo specials on select days can help draw in crowds of all ages. After all, who doesn’t love the charm and flavors of Italy?
Aperitivo is a period of time in the early-to-late evening in which Italians get together and enjoy a cocktail and some nibbles prior to dinner. This is where classic cocktails like the ultra-popular, sunset-orange Aperol Spritz really take center stage.
With fall on the horizon, let’s look at how you can prolong that sweet summer feeling, take inspiration from popular Italian cocktail and snack specials, and offer your guests a taste of il bel paese (“the beautiful country”) all the way in the U.S.
Pizza, Bruschetta, and Charcuterie, Oh My!
In Italy, classic aperitivo snacks include crackers, olives, charcuterie boards, bruschetta, and more. The good news is that many of these simple but delicious foods can also be found in this country. Piancone®, in the Roma® family of Italian brands, imports the finest deli meats and cheeses so that you can offer your guests their very own Italian-inspired charcuterie boards. From creamy mozzarella to thinly sliced prosciutto di Parma, your guests will be transported to Italy with just one bite.
Charcuterie boards can be made to order for one person or shared between two or more guests. Take it a step further by letting guests choose exactly what meats and cheeses they’d like from a small menu of your deli options. To appeal to a wider palate, including those of families with kids, consider offering universally loved bites like Luigi® Breaded Mozzarella Sticks.
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere
Cocktails are the main star of aperitivo, and popular drinks include the Aperol Spritz, made with Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water, and the Hugo Spritz, made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, fresh sprigs of mint, and soda water. Sprinkle these two cocktails in with other drinks offerings, including wine and beer, to appeal to all tastes.
If your state doesn’t allow happy hour deals on alcohol, then focus on appetizers like charcuterie boards and mini pizzas that can be shared with a small group of friends or family. Keep your aperitivo menu short and limited to not overwhelm guests or your staff. Consider offering no more than 10 drink options, and between five to eight food options.
Aperitivo Always
While aperitivo is best enjoyed in the summer, Italians do it year-round — and so should you! If you live in an area with a historic Italian neighborhood, consider theming your aperitivo options around important Italian holidays.
Consider these annual festivities: the Festa della Liberazione on April 25th, which celebrates the victory of the Italian resistance at the end of World War II; Festa della Repubblica on June 2nd, the day that Italian citizens voted to form a republic after World War II; and Ferragosto, a public holiday with ancient Roman origins that serves as the peak of summertime, takes place on August 15th. These are culturally significant holidays for Italians and Italian-Americans, so there’s no better way to celebrate them than with aperitivo offerings.
