Aperitif : A Spirited Guide to the Drinks, History and Culture of the Aperitif

Intro; TITLE PAGE; COPYRIGHT PAGE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; INTRODUCTION; 1 THE STORY OF THE APERITIF; 2 THE PERFECT APPETISER; 3 THE BUILDING BLOCKS; 4 THE DRINKS; 5 THE RECIPES; INDEX; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.;Santé! The apéritif is back. Forget the crass cocktail - the chic apéritif is the choice of the discerning drinker. From the Latin aperire ('to open'), an apéritif not only kick-starts the palate before eating but is the most delightful way to begin an evening. More and more people are falling for the charms of this light, refreshing and aromatic way of drinking, and bars dedicated to apéritifs are opening around the world. Characterised by their dryness, freshness and bitter flavours, many apéritifs are also low in alcohol, making them a perfect choice for health-conscious barflies. In Apéritif, acclaimed drinks writer Kate Hawkings romps through the history of how these drinks came into being across the great drinking nations of Europe and beyond. And after a look at the science of why these drinks work so well as appetisers, she peruses anything and everything that can be considered as an apéritif: what it is, what to look for and how best to drink it. From amaro to gin, through fino sherry to arak, Campari and Lillet, and with 50 suggested recipes or serving suggestions for each kind of booze, Apéritif encourages you to sit back, sip, and anticipate the pleasures that the evening holds. Forget the crass cocktail – the chic aperitif is the choice of the discerning drinker. From Campari to Champagne via vermouth, pastis, sherry and much more, shrewd boozehounds are falling for the particular charms of the aperitif. Call them sharpeners, snifters, apéros or noggins, made light and gentle or strong and stiff, these are drinks to refresh the palate, gladden the heart and kick-start the appetite before lunch or dinner. In Aperitif drinks writer Kate Hawkings romps through the history of how these drinks came into being across the great nations of Europe and beyond. Covering the key wines and spirits that are drunk as aperitifs – what each one is, what to look for and how best to serve it – Kate looks at all manner of booze, explaining the role that each has played in the development of aperitif culture. With over 30 recipes plus many other easy-serve suggestions, Aperitif guides you through the wonderful world of this most civilised of drinking habits.