Low-ABV, complex, artisanal: the charm of aperitivi meant to accompany warmer days without derailing an afternoon!

It’s a category of drink that not as many Americans are perhaps as familiar with, but the notion of an apéritif or aperitivo in France and in Italy, respectively, is an old tradition and an important part of their imbibing culture. Designed to be mixed with seltzer, a light soda of some sort, or just served over rocks, these lower-ABV liqueurs are designed to be somewhere between bitter and lightly sweet, in order to refresh the palate and essentially prepare one for eating later on, without immediately diving into the wine portion of the afternoon or evening, and without entering the slightly more intense frame of mind that a full-on cocktail often suggests. 

Super Cattivo Bianco Bitter Aperitivo $45

Maison Artonic 'Aperitif Au Melon De Cavaillon' Melonade $32

Cappelletti 'Mazzura' Trento Aperitivo $29

Aelred ‘1889 Provençale' Pastis $25

We’ve selected a few diverse products here that speak to us of fresher days and warmer months; all of the aperitivi we picked out represent a nice balance between the French and Italian alpine regions that gave birth to infusing wine with special mountain botanicals and then fortifying with just a touch of alcohol in order to make the infusions last. Here, the Super Cattivo Bianco Bitter and Aelred pastis both beg to be drank on their own over rocks, meant to refresh and brace; instead, the Artonic  Provençale melon aperitif and the Cappelletti traditional ‘Mazzura’ red aperitivo should be mixed into highballs with seltzer or added to an Americano cocktail with dry vermouth—stunners alongside of pretzels, potato chips, lightly fried vegetables, or shrimp cocktail. Welcome, warm month celebrations and early afternoon tipple.

FEATURED PRODUCTS: 

Super Cattivo Bianco Bitter Aperitivo $45

Maison Artonic 'Aperitif Au Melon De Cavaillon' Melonade $32

Cappelletti 'Mazzura' Trento Aperitivo $29

Aelred ‘1889 Provençale' Pastis $25

SHOP THE COLLECTION: Aperitivi