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Aperitif (French apéritif, from Latin aperīre “to open”) – means one or more drinks served before a meal. Aperitifs are used to awaken or increase appetite, as well as to improve the functioning of the salivary glands and the process of digestion. The official birthplace of the aperitif is France. There is even a special holiday – the day of the French aperitif, celebrated annually on the first Thursday of June.
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are used as an aperitif or its components.
What alcohol is considered an aperitif
Among the first are dry white wines, sherries, vermouth, Campari Italian aperitif, absinthe, aperol, aniseed liquor, as well as Czech Becherovka, Bulgarian brandy and Greek ouzo. In France, it is also customary to use local varieties of liqueurs, champagne and cognac. In principle, beer, vodka, whiskey and gin can act as an aperitif, but there is a danger of getting strong alcohol intoxication instead of an invigorating feeling of hunger.
Non-alcoholic aperitifs
The second group of drinks should include soda, various tonics, mineral or ordinary chilled water, as well as several varieties of juices: orange, grapefruit, lemon, pomegranate, unsweetened grape, birch and tomato.
In the Chinese tradition, local tea is usually served to awaken the appetite, which is fundamentally at odds with Western food culture. Based on the latter, let’s consider what should not be served as an aperitif. It is not recommended to use sweet, hot or even warm drinks.
Aperitifs are divided into three types:
Single
They are a single alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink served in its pure form.
Combined
Consist of several different drinks offered at the same time.
Mixed
As a rule, cocktails with a predominant alcohol content (for example, Manhattan, Dry Martini, Negroni, Kir Royal).
How to drink an aperitif
As already mentioned above, an aperitif is drunk before meals, this type of alcohol is designed to “warm up” the audience, with the help of light and relaxed drinks. Snacks are available but not required.
Appetizer for aperitif
Olives, olives, nuts or lemon slices serve as a light snack for aperitifs. If dry white wine or grappa acts as a threshold to the feast, then cheese is indispensable in this case. To make the aperitif and its accompanying appetizer look aesthetically pleasing, it is recommended to serve them on a small tray covered with a napkin.
Relevance: 25.12.2015
Tags: Encyclopedia