{"id":1728,"date":"2019-09-26T07:22:04","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T07:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/?p=1728"},"modified":"2019-09-26T09:35:53","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T09:35:53","slug":"aperitivo-in-rome-what-it-entails-and-how-to-enjoy-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/aperitivo-in-rome-what-it-entails-and-how-to-enjoy-it","title":{"rendered":"Aperitivo in Rome: What It Entails and How to Enjoy It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Happy Hours!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of you must\nbe well-acquainted with the American concept of \u2018happy hours\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\nItalians have a better version, called aperitivo<\/em>\n(or ap\u00e9ritif<\/em>), which is a pre-meal\ndrink particularly meant to whet your appetite before dinner. It is one of the\nmost charming Roman traditions and is best enjoyed over a beautiful sunset with\nyour significant other.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are visiting Rome, we recommend partaking in this social ritual; aperitivo<\/em> is a great way to soak in the city\u2019s local culture, observe its people and their humdrum, and lastly, relax after an encompassing Vatican & Colosseum tour<\/a><\/strong> while warming-up for a wholesome 9 PM meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where It Began…<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The exact origin\nof classic aperitivo<\/em> is hard to trace\nbut it is believed that the modern phenomenon of combining fortified white wine\nwith herbs and spices was invented and marketed by the distiller Antonio\nBenedetto Carpano. He created one of the first variants of vermouth liquor in\n1786 in Turin and it instantly shot to fame.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\nremains unclear why people call this new breed of alcohol aperitivi<\/em>. What we have gathered so far is that the term comes from\na Latin verb \u2018aperire\u2019<\/em>, which means \u2018to\nopen\u2019. This might signify beginning a meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When and What to Order?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No matter where\nyou are, the best time to indulge in an aperitif\n<\/em>in Rome is between 7 PM and 9 PM. This is when the locals end their hard\nday\u2019s work and unwind with their friends and family over a glass of wine or\ncocktail accompanied by some snacks. Almost every city and town in the\npeninsula celebrates the aperitivo<\/em>\nhour, but make sure you don\u2019t treat it as a substitute for dinner. The idea is\nto nibble and not wolf down a three-course meal. Plus, one drink for one plate\nof food is the general rule of aperitivo <\/em>throughout\nItaly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The drinks are\nnormally based around fortified wines or classic aperitifs, such as the\nAmericano (Martini Rosso vermouth, Campari and soda), Negroni (Martini Rosso vermouth,\nCampari and gin) or a Spritz (Campari or Aperol and prosecco). Campari Spritz\nhas a bitter taste and high alcohol content as compared to Aperol Spritz. The latter\nhas a sweet after-taste and looks irresistible, courtesy of its bright coral\nhue. If you\u2019ve ever seen those glossy travel magazines where people are busy\nsipping bright sunset-coloured cocktails from stemmed glasses, you were looking\nat an Aperol Spritz.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of food,\naperitivo<\/em> dishes are mostly light and\nappetizing. Carbs (like bruschetta, pizza and crostini) take the centre stage\nfollowed by local cheeses, cured meats, fresh vegetables and fried potato\nchips. Occasionally, small platters of pasta and couscous salads may do the\nrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Best Places<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The aperitivo<\/em> scene in Rome is rich and thriving.\nThe city has a fair share of ap\u00e9ritif<\/em>\nestablishments. They are lively and are perfect for spending laidback evenings.\nFreni e Frizioni in Trastevere, Salotto42 near the Pantheon, Tree Bar in the Flaminio\ndistrict and Gusto al 28 adjacent to Piazza del Popolo are some of the most\nhappening joints for a social aperitivo<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides indulging in Italian food customs, you must check out our Vatican and Sistine Chapel tours<\/a><\/strong>; exploring the Vatican City<\/a><\/strong> can\u2019t be missed. Our factual and story-rich private tours<\/a><\/strong> help you marvel at the masterpieces minus the tourist traffic. For more information, drop by our official website today.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ ALSO OUR NEW UPDATES<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n