Aperitifs are an integral part of European dining culture: whether you’re eating at a Michelin restaurant or your friend’s Italian grandmother’s house it’s likely you’ll be offered an aperitif to whet your appetite and prepare you for the meal ahead.
A French word with Latin origins, aperitif means “to open” which is what it symbolically does for your dining experience. As such, aperitif cocktails should always be served before dinner. The after-dinner version is a digestif, which is a different category entirely.
If you want to add a touch of class and sophistication to your dinner parties check out these 12 aperitif pre-dinner cocktails that are sure to impress your guests.
The BEST Aperitif Cocktails
Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz, with its vibrant orange hue and refreshingly fizzy lightness is the epitome of a great aperitif. Its sweet and subtle flavor make it an ideal pre dinner cocktail.
The Recipe
Fill a wine glass with ice. Mix together 3 oz Prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, and top it with 1 oz club soda. Garnish your drink with a slice of fresh orange.
Negroni
Whenever I think “aperitif”, the Negroni is immediately what jumps to mind. As a lover of Italian cuisine I can’t count the number of times I’ve sipped a glass (or two) of this famous Florentine cocktail before dinner.
The Recipe
Equal parts (1 oz of each) of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, stirred and served over ice with an orange peel garnish.
Dry Martini
There’s never a bad time for a martini, but the Dry martini with its crisp flavor makes for a particularly satisfying pre-dinner cocktail.
The Recipe
Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice. Put in 2 1/2 oz London dry gin and 1/2 oz dry vermouth. Stir, and strain it into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or green olive. Simple but satisfying.
French 75
With its combination of citrus freshness and the elegance of Champagne, the French 75 is an invigorating and sophisticated aperitif cocktail.
The Recipe
Shake together 1 oz of your favorite gin, 1/2 oz lemon juice and 1/2 oz simple syrup. Strain your mixture into a champagne flute and top it with around 3 oz champagne or another sparkling wine.
Americano
Much like its coffee namesake the Americano is bitter and stimulating - although it tastes nothing like coffee. It has herbal undertones and is a great pre-dinner sipper to enjoy whilst looking through the menu.
The Recipe
This is a stirred drink, so no cocktail shaker is necessary. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes and add in 1 1/2 oz Campari and 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth. Top it with 2 1/2 oz soda water and garnish with an orange twist.
Gin and Tonic
There are few things more refreshing than a good old G & T. The juniper notes of gin pair effortlessly with the mild flavor of tonic. What’s more, it’s an incredibly easy drink to prepare. If you want a pre dinner palate cleanser without all the hassle, you can’t go wrong with a gin and tonic.
The Recipe
Fill a highball glass with ice. Put in 2 oz gin and top it with tonic water. Garnish it with a lime wedge or wheel. A drink so simple it almost makes itself.
Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is pure elegance in a glass. The sweetness of the crème de cassis contrasts beautifully with the dryness of the Champagne, creating a luxurious start to any meal.
The Recipe
Pour 1/2 oz of creme de cassis into a champagne flute. Top it with champagne and garnish it with a few raspberries or a lemon twist.
Dry Vermouth on the Rocks
Sometimes in life the simple things are the best. Dry Vermouth - the all important ingredient in so many aperitif cocktails - also works great by itself as a before dinner drink.
The Recipe
Just 2 oz dry vermouth. Serve it over ice, garnished with a twist of lemon or an olive.
Campari and Soda
The bitterness of Campari, balanced with the effervescence of soda, creates a refreshing and invigorating aperitif.
It's perfect for cleansing the palate and whetting your appetite. Try to use a high quality sparkling water like San Pellegrino for a crisper taste.
The Recipe
Pour 2 oz Campari into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with around 6 oz soda water, and garnish with a slice of lemon or orange.
Manhattan
The Manhattan is a behemoth of the classic cocktail world. Pure sophistication in a glass. It’s stronger than some of the other aperitifs on this list but the combination of bourbon, vermouth and bitters makes for an excellent pre-dinner drink.
The Recipe
Add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth and 2 dashes Angostura bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled, and strain it into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Mimosa
A Mimosa isn’t just a brunch cocktail. Its light, citrusy sweetness with the sparkle of Champagne, makes it a refreshing choice as an aperitif.
The Recipe
Pre-chill a champagne flute. Pour champagne or sparkling wine until the glass is half full, and top it with fresh orange juice. Simple, but tasty.
Paper Plane
The Paper Plane is a cocktail with an interesting back story - created by the famous bartender Sam Ross and named after the M.I.A song “Paper Planes”. It is a delicate balance of sweetness, bitterness, and sour - a perfect aperitif cocktail.
The Recipe
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 3/4 oz bourbon, 3/4 oz Aperol, 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia, and 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake until well chilled and strain it into a coupe glass.
Pairing with Appetizers
Aperitifs are all about enhancing the dining experience. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your food pairing knowledge. A well-paired aperitif and appetizer can be a match made in culinary heaven. For instance, the lightness of a Mimosa goes really well with seafood appetizers, while a Manhattan is more suited to something hearty like a charcuterie board. It’s not an exact science and there are plenty of combinations for you to choose from. Put a little effort into your food-cocktail pairings and it will pay dividends in the satisfaction of your guests.
Timing Matters
Aperitif cocktails are all about the timing. Serve them about 30 minutes to an hour before dinner. This allows time for your guests to savor their drink and for the appetite-stimulating properties to kick in.
Either serve them at the dinner table or in a more relaxed setting like your living room or garden. It’s a great way to get the conversation flowing and ease into the evening.
