You just sit in a bar, order a drink and magically you get some delicious appetizers with it… welcome to the aperitivo!
Aperitivo is something very typically Italian and every time I go somewhere else I kinda miss it. Even if I am not a heavy drinker – I actually don’t drink except very rare occasions, and I don’t like heavy drinks… but when I’m in Italy and I have an aperitivo I know exactly what to order: Spritz!
Have you ever heard about Spritz? It’s a light cocktail, originally from Veneto, in the north-east of Italy.
The recipe is very easy, and it makes a very light alcoholic and refreshing drink:
2 parts Aperol (orange liqueur)
3 parts Prosecco (white sparkling wine)
1 splash of soda or seltz
Ice, half a slice of orange.
And here is what I got the other day, when I went out for an aperitivo with a friend:
Spritz!
I would grab that glass from the screen right now!
I mentioned appetizers before, right? Now, the kind of appetizers served varies according to the bar you choose.
In this case I got slices of pizza, sandwich and fries.
Appetizers: slices of pizza, focaccia, sandwich
Then, because I was in Genova, I also got something very typical of the area: focaccia al formaggio (something like pizza, but topped with cheese) and fritters, that we call “frisceu” (pronouncing the “eu” like a German “ö”).
Frisceu fritters from Genova City!
These fritters are very simple to do: just dough, made with flour, yeast, water, egg and salt, and a little chive or scallion… Oh I love them.
I know that in other places in the world when you order a drink at a bar, you get only the drink. I was shocked when I went to New York City and not only I had to pay 12/15$ for a drink, but also I didn’t even get a single little peanut to eat with my drink!
Ok, did I make you hungry again?
If it makes you feel better, I made myself hungry too!
What’s the best aperitivo you ever had?
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11 Comments
What a good idea with aperitivo! More countries should learn from this.
Yes they should!!!
Never had aperitivo?? but after seeing this,wanted to grab it from photo…lovely..you are very correct that at most of the places,you will only get drink!! what is Prosecco????
Ops, I added a description for Aperol and Prosecco! Anyway, it’s white sparkling wine:) Love it!
Love Spritz.. but sometimes am tempted to skip the lot and head for the Prosecco!!;) The finger food looks divine!
Yes! Plain Prosecco is also one of my frequent choices:)
Finger food was divine, you have to come and try it.:)
That looks so good, I want to go where you live now and grab that food hahah..great shots btw.
I remember there were places in NYC with Italian aperitivo – for Spritz, try Bar Italia (UES)! Not sure if it comes with appetizers but being it Italian I would think so!
Yes you did you did you did! I’m so hungry. And almost afraid to visit Italy! :D
Haha, don’t be afraid, when you come I’ll take you to the best YUMMY places! No worries just enjoyyy!:)
Italian food has always been my favourite food but I’m sorry to say I’ve yet to visit Italy. With every post about your homeland, Giulia, you’re making me more and more eager to go there very very soon.