Most Americans misunderstand the concept of it."
If youre chugging down your Aperol spritz alongside forks full of spaghetti at dinner, youre doing it wrong.
Thats especially true during cocktail hour.
In Italy, it caught on very quickly and remains a daily treat, especially in summer.
The term aperitivo refers to something thats drunk before dinner to stimulate the appetite.
Most commonly, aperitivi are alcoholic drinks that include classic bitter Italian aperitifs as mixers.
Often theyre served with light snacks like nuts, meats, cheeses and potato chips.
It should be a functional and emotional experience.
MixologistJames Califanodescribes the aperitivo vibe as being in the golden hour before the sun sets and dinner begins.
The first is functionality.
The second purpose is emotional, because this is a ritual about conviviality and socializing, Gallo said.
People gather together in cafes, wine bars or cocktail bars for a drink before dinner.
The goal here is to relax, catch up with friends or chat with locals about soccer scores.
Youre getting it wrong by slurping it up.
This goes against the tradition of light, refreshing drinks and small, quality bites that characterize aperitivo.
Joseph agreed with her.
The idea of getting hammered is something Italians dont equate with aperitivo.
Heres how to set up your home aperitivo bar.
Its easy to set up an aperitivo station at home.
Califano said to start by laying in a supply of gin,Aperol,SelectandCampari.
He also suggested a high-quality dry vermouth for that perfect bittersweet touch.
Youll want freshly squeezed orange, lemon or grapefruit to add a burst of brightness, he suggested.
Gallo suggested sparkling elements like tonic, soda, prosecco or Champagne.
And be sure to keep things chilly.
These drinks are pretty delicate, so shaking the spirits in a cocktail isnt the best idea.
Integrating ingredients by simply stirring should be sufficient.
And they never cross arms when saying it, because its believed to bring bad luck.
What should you order when youre out?
If youre at a bar and wondering what to order, Joseph has suggestions.
Another popular choice for her isThe Hugo.
It has lovely elderflower notes, and its garnished with lime and mint.
Currently, Im enjoyingMarseille amarofrom Brooklyn distiller Forthave Spirits.
Huff mentioned options including Campari soda, Milano Torino (Mi-To) and Garibaldi.
And dont forget the favorite drink of actressEmma DArcy, who gainedTikTok fameover her love of the Negroni sbagliato.
Its the perfect balance of bitter, semi-sweet and refreshing.
Its about reconnecting to a lost art.
Sometimes, its the best part of the evening.
Many experts are hopeful that theres room in our frantic lives for a slow-paced cocktail hour.
I believe that aperitivo is poised to enjoy a similar trajectory.
This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
