Good friends, a mild summer evening and an aperitif – this has always been the perfect team of three for a successful moment. The “Aperitivo Hour”, the Italian happy hour in the evening, is the perfect time to enjoy delicious snacks with an authentic Italian aperitif. Here are some tips to make the evening at home a successful party:
1. “Keep it simple, but make it special”
The aperitif should only be a prelude to dinner, so it doesn't have to be complicated. Often it is enough to creatively arrange or refine a dish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil. Need inspiration? Here are some tips:
– A cheese platter
– Creamy burrata and anchovies
– Tuscan salami
– Portobello mushrooms baked in garlic with mozzarella and a drizzle of truffle oil
2. Choose the perfect drink
Even more important than choosing the right aperitif dishes is a perfect aperitif drink that can be combined with them. Think of a bottle of sparkling white wine and a bitter. Aperitivo can also be non-alcoholic, such as Crodino or an alcoholic cocktail based on a bitter liqueur or vermouth, or a combination of both, as in the Negroni. Aperol Spritz (Aperol, Prosecco and a splash of seltzer water) is also very popular.
3. Create the right atmosphere
Whether indoors, in the garden or on the small town balcony – making the room relaxed yet stylish is the secret to a perfect aperitivo hostess. We recommend keeping it simple here as well and using what's already in the house. Houseplants are great substitutes for fresh flowers, and a mix of candles and lighting is good for creating a special atmosphere. While we enjoy the longer days, the interior rooms are also covered in a golden sheen in the evening sun.
4. Atmospheric music
Music is ideal for creating a relaxed atmosphere. A perfect aperitivo host knows what music the guests like and what technical tools can be used to make it look like an in-house DJ has been hired. In addition to countless playlists on streaming services, friends' favorite songs can also help as a background for the evening.
5. Prepare goodies
Let your friends know how important they are to you and prepare small goodies for them. In addition to aperitivo snacks such as breadsticks, olives or homemade dips, guests are usually also happy with personal little things. For example, capture the evening in Polaroid photos and give away memories of a perfect aperitif with friends.
6. Small games
With small games, many simple gatherings can be transformed into an extraordinary aperitivo evening. For example, it's fun to guess how much ice everyone has in their glass or who uses the tongue twister the fastest 'Sereno è, sereno sarà, se non sarà sereno si rasserenerà' (Dutch translation:it will be merry, it will be merry and if it is not cheerful, it will cheer again) can recite without error. Other ideas include a classic round of hints and "Who am I?". So fun and a good time are guaranteed!
7. Surprise with dessert
Even if the classic aperitivo is about a cozy evening and an aperitif, guests can be surprised with an elegant dessert. In addition to the classic espresso, a tiramisu or panna cotta, serve some real Italian ice cream.
8. Invite again immediately
If the evening with friends was a great success, immediately schedule another appointment and make it a regular tradition. A good time in company should eventually be repeated. And with these tips, everyone in the clique certainly dares to be a host or hostess one day.
