Italian drinks guide
What is aperitivo hour?
Last updated
In Italy, the hour before dinner has its own name. Friends meet at a bar or at home for one light drink — usually bitter, usually sparkling, rarely strong — and a few salty bites. It is a pause between work and the table, built to sharpen the appetite rather than replace dinner. Larry treats it as a sacred appointment and has never once ended it on time. Here is what to pour, what to put out and how to host it yourself.
Quick answer
Aperitivo is the Italian habit of meeting for a light, usually bitter, lower-alcohol drink in the early evening before dinner, often with small salty snacks. Classic choices include the spritz, Americano, Negroni and Campari soda; zero-proof bitters such as Crodino work too. The point is to open the appetite, not to fill up.
The classic aperitivo drinks
Aperol Spritz
Bitter orange, sparkling, 8% ABV
Campari Spritz
Sharper, redder, 10% ABV
Negroni
Bitter, stirred, 24% ABV
Negroni Sbagliato
Sparkling, softer, 12% ABV
Americano
Long, bitter, 9% ABV
Milano-Torino
Two ingredients, 16% ABV
Garibaldi
Bitter and citrus, 11% ABV
Bicicletta
Wine-based, 9% ABV
Hugo Spritz
Elderflower and mint, 7% ABV
Select Spritz
Venetian bitter, rhubarb and juniper, 9% ABV
Cynar Spritz
Artichoke bitter, savory, 8% ABV
Vermouth on the Rocks
Sweet, herbal, 16% ABV
Spritz al Bianco
Wine and soda, 6% ABV
Campari Soda
Pre-mixed bitter, 10% ABV
Martini Bianco & Tonic
Vanilla-floral, long, 8% ABV
What to put out
Keep it small and salty. Every bite below has a full recipe:
Marinated olives
Warm citrus-and-fennel olives
Homemade potato crisps
Thin, salty patatine
Rosemary roasted almonds
The salty nut bowl
Focaccia squares
Focaccia Genovese, cut small
Cured meat & cheese board
How to build a tagliere
Sausage & peppers sliders
Larry's signature, bite-size
Grissini
Crisp Turin breadsticks
Taralli
Crunchy Puglian rings
Bruschetta
Grilled bread, ripe tomato
Olive all'ascolana
Stuffed, fried olives
Fried zucchini flowers
Stuffed, battered blossoms
Pinzimonio
Raw vegetables, good olive oil
Mozzarella in carrozza
Fried mozzarella sandwiches
Arancini
Fried stuffed rice balls
For a bigger spread, browse Larry’s antipasti, the Italian cheese guide or the full sausage and peppers recipe.
No alcohol? No problem
Italian bitters and sodas are a long-standing part of aperitivo. See the zero-proof collection.
Questions people ask
What time is aperitivo in Italy?
Generally early evening, before dinner — commonly somewhere around 6 to 8 pm, varying by city and season.
What do you drink at aperitivo?
Light, often bitter drinks: Aperol or Campari spritz, Americano, Negroni, Campari soda, Prosecco or a non-alcoholic bitter.
What food is served at aperitivo?
Small bites such as olives, crisps, nuts, focaccia, cured meats and cheese. Some bars offer a larger buffet.
Is aperitivo the same as happy hour?
Not quite. Happy hour is about cheap drinks; aperitivo is about a light drink and snacks to wake up the appetite before dinner.
Can aperitivo be non-alcoholic?
Yes. Italian zero-proof bitters and sodas like Crodino, Sanbittèr and chinotto are traditional aperitivo choices.
More: Sausage & Peppers guide · Glossary · All drinks