Derived from the Latin word “aperire” or “to open,” the apéritif is an alcoholic drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite. The apéritif has a varied history. Some say it dates back as far as the early Egyptians and it is clear that taking an apéritif was common throughout Italy in the 1800’s. It’s likely that the super-sized American “cocktail hour” grew out of this storied, gastronomical tradition.

Classic apéritifs include small glasses of fortified wines, liqueurs or dry champagnes served with small accompaniments such as cheeses, pâtés, crackers, nuts and olives. Many countries around the world offer their own traditional aperitifs. In Spain, you would have sherry; in France, you would drink pastis; in Greece, it would be ouzo, and in Italy, Vermouth. A classic, simple, European, One World Wedding cocktail hour would be a simple apéritif served with small tapas, whetting the appetite for the main course.

For a modern, American feel, serve more appetizers along with a contemporary twist on the drink by serving the apéritifs as classic cocktails, such as the Italian Negroni, a powerful punch of vermouth, gin and campari. Or serve the Blarney Stone with Irish whiskey, anis liqueur, triple sec, maraschino liqueur and a twist of orange peel. We like the idea of emphasizing the history and tradition behind the cocktail hour—cheers!

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