Aperitifs
l’Apéritif: the boozy beginning to a great meal
One could say that the French meal has as many layers as a flaky croissant. To the outsider, there are many complex components that make up the French mealtime routine. Each course, ingredient, and tradition could fill their own book with pages of stories, history, and more. Today’s blog, however, aims to introduce you to the apéritif: the perfect appetizer in liquid form.
What is the apéritif?
In short, the apéritif is an alcoholic drink that is served before a meal. The goal of this drink is to stimulate the appetite as the diner prepares for the rest of their meal.
Where did apéritif come from and what does it mean for the French today?
While the concept of the aperitif has various cultural roots dating back to the Middle Ages, it was not until World War II that this way of drinking became a popular part of French culture. For the French, l’apéritif is not simply a drink. It symbolizes a shared moment. It’s a warm tradition that marks the beginning of a nice meal filled with good food and geniality. It is also a “way of life”, une façon de vivre when you can just relax and paused. It is so popular that we have a slang word for it: apéro as a shorter way to ask someone if they want to come drink an aperitif.
It is extremely common to hear “tu viens prendre l’apero?” Meaning: Do you want to join for an aperitif.
At what time do you have an “apero” in France? It usually starts after 6pm and even if you join your friend at 8 or 9pm, you will still be asked: tu prends quoi en aperitif?
A dinner will never be a dinner without an aperitif! And this is not the drink you will drink to accompany your dinner, you will still have to choose a pairing drink for your meal of course :)
What are some popular examples of an apéritif?
Vin blanc: white wine
Vin rosé
Champagne or a kir royal
Whisky
Cocktails such as Mojito or Sangria
Bière: beer
What is eaten with an aperitif?
Aperitifs are often served with various amuse bouches—literally “mouth amusers” in English—which are like mini appetizers that are to be eaten in one bite. These tiny treats can be anything: mini-muffins, mini quiches, small sandwiches, baby boiled eggs, and more. Amuse bouches might be small, but they are intricately and creatively put together, and they are the perfect pre-dinner partner of the stimulating apéritif. The aperitif food became so popular that a new concept arrived: “aperitif dînatoire” which means that the dinner will be made out of a decadent selection of amuse bouches and it is a real “competition” amoung friends to create the most delicious, surprising apéritif dînatoire.
We will share with you the recipes of the perfect amuse bouche to impress your guests and are still very easy to make!
Food for thought…
What do you think of the aperitif? Would you like to normalize it with your friends and family and become the perfect host?