All The Dishes & Drinks You Need To Try At An Aperitivo

Aperitivo, also known as apéritif in French, is an experience all in itself in Italy.

This tradition in Florence occurs in the hour or two before dinner and consists of certain foods, drinks as well as a mindset that unwinds the body and attitude. At a traditional aperitivo, you can find delicious cocktails and a buffet-style of simple dishes for about 10 to 12 euros. Here are some platters that you can look out for.

DRINK

Aperol Spritz

aperol aperitivo — UNSPLASH Kike Salazar N

Consisting of soda water, Prosecco and of course, Aperol; this cocktail is perfect for a warm Florentine night. The orange-citrus flavor is the ideal palette cleanser and refreshment to shift the day into nighttime. Dragonfly, a mixology lab located about five minutes from the Duomo, makes a delicious Aperol Spritz while offering an upbeat atmosphere for locals and travelers.

Negroni

This stronger cocktail is made up of gin, Campari and vermouth. Negroni’s bitter flavor is said to have been created by Count Camillo Negroni in the early 1900’s but many dispute this theory. Whatever you may believe, here’s a drink that will for sure take you back in time.

EAT

Crostini

Meaning “toast” in Italian, crostini consists of a piece of bread topped with fresh olive oil, cheese and cured meats. Florence is known for its wide variety of organic agriculture thus the dishes served at aperitivo will most likely be locally sourced from the Tuscany region.

Bruschetta

Pronounced: broos-keh-t-tah, this finger food differs from crostini in that the bread is not toasted but simply warmed. Bruschettas are often topped with freshly diced tomatoes and olive oil. A simple yet delicious snack.

Assorted Cheese Platter

Yum! What is Italy without cheese, am I right? Aperitivo buffets will often contain a platter of cheeses traveling from different parts of the Tuscany region or other Italian provinces. This is a must-try for any foodie.

Roasted Veggies

The Tuscan region consists of a vast array of farm land growing fresh fruits and vegetables. At an aperitivo buffet, it is common to find roasted veggies on skewers or toothpicks often garnished with olive oil and Italian spices.

The next time you find yourself on the windy cobblestone roads of Florence, make sure to indulge in an aperitivo experience.

Katherine McGowan

Social Media Associate

Katherine is a New Jersey native who is passionate about understanding culture through its history and food. You can most likely find her enjoying an Aperol Spritz with a local or getting lost on a windy cobblestone road. Some of her other favorite cities are NYC, Amsterdam, London and Rome.