Whoops, not sinner, dinner. Getting ahead of myself, but both do come after champagne, and go very nicely with it. Hmmm, maybe I got it right the first time! If you're with that special someone and wine doesn't send them napping.

Perol or Campari and soda. Aperol is a little sweeter, less bitter than Campari.

Sorry..not Perol it's Aperol! In Venice and Florence they called it a "spritz".

Outside of Paris, I always ask what the local or house apertif is and always order it.

Un coup de champagne ... I don't think I would like that! (un coup = a slap)<BR>OK if you make it une coupe de champagne.

My partner does the ordering, and she prefers the male version. Un coup, une coupe, je l'aime tout le meme (circumflex, of course!).

Amy,<BR><BR>Definatly try Lillet, my friend drinks it all the time here at home and it is very unusual. <BR><BR>I also like a Kir royal which uses champagne instead of wine.<BR><BR>Others to try would be Dubonnet and Pernod.<BR><BR>Why not try a different one each night? I'm jealous!

Pernod before dinner, well, if you love the risk, and you can endure the looks from that waiter of yours. One writer used to say Pernod would lift you fast and drop you farther twice as fast. Better leave it for Deux Magots or La Flore, and you can duplicate the 20's, with a pitcher of ice and water to make it milky. Late at night may be best, the last thing before you toddle home to recover for the next day. Just a suggestion from a long timer on the Pernod road.

Pastis or a 'demi' (1/2 carafe) of cold house white wine.<BR><BR>

Depends what country I am in, of course, but my faves so far were the Kir and the Prosecco.

RnR , no, you are so wrong, on a hot summer day there is nothing like a pastis, better yet drunk in Provence. My favorite brand is Henri Bardouin, a little more pricy but I like the taste. This is something we drink all summer.<BR>In Provence they also serve it mixed with almond syrup.

Champagne cocktails, always my darlings.

You guys sound like a bunch of snoots (especially RnR). Jesus, just drink what you like and quit trying to impress the waiter and whomever is seated around you! It doesn't matter "what they" think is an appropriate aperitif.

That's "whoever," OinK, not "whomever." Back to school for you....

Oh, don't worry, Oink. I, the original poster, am truly enjoying this. Especially since I know squat about aperitifs. Hope I get more suggestions.<BR><BR>

GrammarMaven.....I can just see you now, sipping your aperitifs, smug attitude and continually correcting your table mates. I bet you're a real pleasure to have as a friend - NOT !!!!<BR><BR>LMAO

Oink, please be nice to GrammarMaven. I think it would be very nice to have enough knowledge (although wardrobe might be a problem) of the proper aperitif and proper French grammar to sit at Fouquet's and look snooty. <BR><BR>I'm just hoping that after the aperitif I can still pronounce "whoever."<BR><BR>My new question is: What isn't overpoweringly sweet out of these suggestions? Be gentle with me...remember that out of all these suggestions, I only know champagne, Kir, Kir Royale, and of course, the various whites. My original post declaimed my ignorance; this follow-up is determined to maintain it!<BR><BR>I'm looking for the least sweet.<BR><BR>(Yes, there is a Le Fouquet's story. Can you believe that first time I took kids to Paris, I stupidly and unknowingly chose that place for a snack so we could use the restroom. Let's just say the staff was amused. When I win lottery, have perfect command of the French language, know all my aperitifs, and am on speaking terms with French elite, plan to drop in again).

Here are a few suggestions and some that I love:<BR><BR>-Anis<BR>-Pernod (Aniseed liquor)<BR>-Ricard(Pastis)<BR>-Byrrh