The real Italian Aperitivo!

Celebrate the Italian Aperitivo experience with extraordinary Corte Buona deli meats: discover the  
secrets of Aperitivo and try them at home!

The real Italian Aperitivo

It’s called Aperitivo and it’s the fashionable tradition that unifies Italian culture from north to south. It can’t be translated with happy hour nor with appetizer, it’s something unique.

The concept of Italian aperitivo is meant to have been invented by or effectively marketed by the distiller Antonio Benedetto Carpano, that in 1786 in Turin also created the first type of Vermouth. Vermouth became popular very quickly but it is unclear when people started to refer to these kind of drinks as “aperitivi”. We do know that the word comes from the Latin word “opener”, signifying that it was to open a meal. In fact, an aperitivo is a pre-meal drink thought to whet one’s appetite. But it’s not only that: it’s a custom. A noteworthy aperitivo provides that cocktails and wines are accompanied by snacks, deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, quiches and other different appetizers that highlight Italian local specialties and excellences. An italian aperitivo should take place from 6pm to 9pm and it’s not supposed to replace your dinner, but anything is possible!

You can enjoy a real aperitivo in many different situations: at home, after a busy day at work there is no better cure for stress than sharing a genuine aperitivo with your family; with friends, invite your closest friends, buy an exquisite bottle of wine and test yourself by cooking a delicious meal, or hang out with the in the  best pubs in town.

Italians usually consume different drinks for aperitivo:

  • Spritz, it is considered the aperitif par excellence, it’s consists of three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol (or Campari) and one part  soda. It is served in its typical glass, similar to a wine glass, garnished with an orange slice. 
  • Negroni, it is served in an old fashioned glass, this cocktail is composed by one part of Gin, one part of Vermouth rosso and one part of Campari. Garnished with an orange peel and poured over ice cubes.
  • Prosecco, a refined sparkling white wine, typical from northern regions of Italy.
  • Mojito, it’s not typical Italian but its flavors perfectly suit the Italian summer aperitivo. It consists of Rum, brown sugar, a leaf of mint and soda. Garnished with a lime slice.

Some of our recipes are perfect for eating during the Aperitivo!