aperitif suggestions for italy?
 

Can anyone recommend some special italian aperitifs for sipping at a bar before dinner - somethng fairly light and not too sweet. I've been ordering campari and soda which I like, but I don't really know about other alternatives.

Proseccho-Dry white sparkling wine; or, like Campari, Punt e Mes

I like Aperol. It's a bright orange, bittersweet aperitif which is always served in a glass with sugar around the brim.

I like a Campari and Soda as an aperitif, its a little sweet and a little bitter. Its an acquired taste, but definitly Italian. <BR> <BR>While there try a Montenegro as a after dinner digestive . Its a strong floral scented drink from Bologna. Again, an acquired taste, but definitly Italian. <BR> <BR>Check out my websight for other Italian tips. The sight isn't completely finished but the path to Rome is almost done! <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome <BR> <BR>There are a bunch of tips about eating in Rome. Click the "I" icon on the "Eat" page. <BR> <BR>

I like a Campari and Soda as an aperitif, its a little sweet and a little bitter. Its an acquired taste, but definitly Italian. <BR> <BR>While there try a Montenegro as a after dinner digestive . Its a strong floral scented drink from Bologna. Again, an acquired taste, but definitly Italian. <BR> <BR>Check out my websight for other Italian tips. The sight isn't completely finished but the path to Rome is almost done! <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome <BR> <BR>There are a bunch of tips about eating in Rome. Click the "I" icon on the "Eat" page.

Prosecco, definitely!

ciao lina! <BR> <BR>try the following aperitivi: <BR> <BR>- Baby Martini gold o rosso there's less alcohol instead to the normal Martini <BR>- Sanbitter <BR>- Spumante <BR>- Prosecco <BR>- Martini extra dry <BR>- Gin Tonic, very famous here in Italy <BR>- Martini Rosso <BR> <BR>there are a lot of things we Italians drink before dinner....... ;-) <BR>

Try a Cynar & soda. Cynar is an aperitif made from artichokes. It's not easy to find in the US, but common in Italy. It's not as sweet as Campari, and has an unusual taste. I find it very refreshing, and a great aperitif before dinner!

Punt e Mes and soda with a twist.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm really looking forward to giving some of them a try on our upcoming trip.

If you are in the Amalfi area, it's Lemoncello everywhere.

In addition to all the wonderful suggestions, when I'm not in the mood for something alcoholic, I like <BR>Bitter Bianco. It's very refreshing and great for the middle of the day when you just want to sit at a cafe... <BR> <BR>Also, I like a drink I tried at the Danieli in Venice - Prosecco with fresh strawberries (I can't remember the name). Other places have it but if the strawberries are not "fresca", the strawberry liqueur they use may make it a bit sweet for you... <BR> <BR>Have a great time trying all this out! <BR> <BR>Dona

I'm also interested in trying both before (apperitivi) and after dinner (digestivi) drinks in Italy. Does anyone have other suggestions? On Mario Eats Italy recently he was drinking a Negroni. Has anyone had one?

If you want to stay off the sweet side I'd suggest the Cynar. My favorite is Camparisoda, but the Cynar has a distinctly different, change of pace, taste. It's made from artichoke, by the way. <BR> <BR>twenj

Would suggest two, Campari and orgnge juice and the old standby Cynar and for afterdinner an expresso doppie with a <BR>Sambuca Romano...Richad of LaGrange Park, Ill.

In answer to the question about the drink called a Negroni: it is a vodka martini with a dash of Compari (can't vouch for my spelling) instead of vermouth.

I suggest just a glass of dry white wine like Vernaggia di San Gimignano or Soave Classico. <BR> <BR>More about Italian food and drinks: <BR>www.italianfood.about.com

Sorry, it's spelled Vernaccia...

regarding after dinner drinks, definitely try the Vincento, which is a wine based liquour and in good restaurants, is served with crisp almond cookies. The cookies should be dipped into the vincento. It's excellent. Good vincento may be aged for 20-30 years.

Steve: I suppose you are talking about Vin Santo and Cantucci (the hazelnut cookies). <BR>Yes, that's nice, I agree.

Thanks for the Vin Santo speeling correction, Ursula. As for "Cantucci", I believe that "cantucci" is a brand name of a cookie manufacturer and not the generic name of the cookies themselves.

Steve, interesting question, we used to call them "cantucci", but it might as well be a bran's name. Anyway, it tastes nice, no question. <BR>Any Italians out there, per favore?

Isn't cantucci the generic name for those little biscotti?

For the complete experience you need to have an after-dinner grappa. After a big meal I think that it really does help with digestion. However, it is definately an "acquired" taste. Many of my friends have compared it unfavorably to lighter fluid and drain cleaner.

i agree with last poster. grappa is great if you get the higher priced and better quality ones. the cheaper ones taste like jet fuel. a good grappa will be smooth and have a lingering taste of something like the smell of wet straw. acquired taste yes but once you do its hard to end a good meal without it. bring some home because yoiu cant get the really good stuff here