The aperitif thread
 

Dinnertime. The party arrives, the table isn't ready, and so everyone heads over to the bar for an aperitif. I'm not a particular stickler for proper distinctions between aperitifs, digestifs and just drinks, but I tend to order the same thing before meals when given the opportunity. I'll take either a gimlet, negroni or Campari and soda just about every time. I used to drink Pernod but now I find it a bit too one-dimensional.

What do others like to drink before a nice dinner?

Re: The aperitif thread
 

I like champagne

Re: The aperitif thread
 

single malt scotch

Glenmorangie or Laphroig

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Daver,

I like a vodka soda, nice and refreshing.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Champagne is underused. Well, overused for celebrating, underused for general consumption. Misused, I guess. Maybe if we just called it "sparkling" it would be less of a big deal. It's a great idea to get a mini bottle of it with a date at dinner with appetizer, then get a bottle of whatever wine you want when dinner comes.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I used to drink Pernod but now I find it a bit too one-dimensional.


[/ QUOTE ]

I would love to watch someone try to deliver this line in mixed company with a straight face.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Other than OP these aren't really traditional aperitif suggestions. Rather than just champagne you should go with a kir royale or something.

I have no idea what they are but I had some nice dinners with families in France, and everyone there has a liquor cabinet properly equiped with lots of types of aperitif; I sampled a few and some were quite nice but there are too many with all different names, obviously there are the standards like Lillet and the many Pastis varieties but there were a lot more.

This is a decent article :

http://weeklywire.com/ww/08-30-99/alibi_food2.html
Arts & Leisure: Oui Apéritif! (Weekly Alibi . 08-30-99)

I think the tradition of a proper aperitif and after dinner drink is very cool, it's a nice thing to do when hosting a slightly more formal dinner party.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

jeff,

"Champagne is underused."

100% agree. A glass of champagne before dinner is GREAT. Champagne as a drink during dinner can be excellent. And champagne after dinner is always a winner!

Every now and then I'll remember this and buy a few bottles of champagne and pop a bottle when friends come over instead of having a beer or a bottle of wine or making a cocktail. It's always a big hit.

At nice bars/lounges, champagne is a great choice, plus you look cool w/ ice buckets of champagne!

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

100% agree. A glass of champagne before dinner is GREAT. Champagne as a drink during dinner can be excellent. And champagne after dinner is always a winner!


[/ QUOTE ]

It also works very well with soup since the bubbles contrast the smooth liquid texture of the soup. Try ordering a glass or two with a soup course with your wife, or serving a glass with soup at your next dinner party. It is unexpected and fun.

[ QUOTE ]
At nice bars/lounges, champagne is a great choice, plus you look cool w/ ice buckets of champagne!

[/ QUOTE ]

And if you are out with some couples it really is not much different in price than ordering cocktails before dinner.

DaveR,
I [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] negronis

Re: The aperitif thread
 

If anybody has seen the movie "Made" this thread is 100% more hilarious.

Gin and Tonic is nice. Just something crisp and clean seeming.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I used to drink Pernod but now I find it a bit too one-dimensional.


[/ QUOTE ]

I would love to watch someone try to deliver this line in mixed company with a straight face.

[/ QUOTE ]

Irony.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

i like lillet blanc with a little orange as an aperitif.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

All,

BTW, I think negronis (and Campari) are vile.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Agree, I can't get past the similarity of Campari to cough syrup.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I like champagne

[/ QUOTE ]

I need to start more meals with champagne.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
i like lillet blanc with a little orange as an aperitif.

[/ QUOTE ]

FTW- lillet cocktails are the business

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i like lillet blanc with a little orange as an aperitif.

[/ QUOTE ]

FTW- lillet cocktails are the business

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, and G&T, grasshoppers are a fun starter, champagne as noted, gin rickey, capirinhas.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
All,

BTW, I think negronis (and Campari) are vile.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's definitely bitter, but to me that's what makes the negroni such a good drink. There are layers of flavor going on. The sweet vermouth is what you get first, then like an undertoe, the campari sweeps it all back and leaves you with a different sensation on the pallate. <font color="white">And apparently to El D that sensation is vile.</font>

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Rose champagne makes for an excellent start to a meal. Its added level of dryness makes it particularly appropriate. It also can work well with a variety of first courses.

Additionally, it is a great option for dates and such. Possibly you are introducing your companion to a new experience, which should score some points. And of course, the bottle, bubbles and color set a romantic tone.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
All,

BTW, I think negronis (and Campari) are vile.

[/ QUOTE ]

And you like Fernet? (At least, I remember you mentioning it as a staple among respectable SF drinkers.) Odd. Is it the sweetness that's an issue?

If you're going to be serving pre-dinner drinks, champagne stands out as a particularly good choice because everyone likes it, it's light, it feels classy, and it actually will help you look forward to dinner. It'll also match up just fine with most hors d'oeuvres.

As far as what I'll actually order, that depends on where I am. In the proper mood I'll order a Manhattan. In general it'll be something strong involving gin, though.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

ethan,

Yeah, I like Fernet a lot. I just think Campari is gross, can't put my finger on exactly what component of the taste I find so repulsive.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

I've had to google at least 5098409658405 words in this thread. I love feeling unsophisticated. Carry on.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

Daver, have you ever tried drinking Campari on the rocks without the soda? I've come to prefer it that way.

-McGee

Re: The aperitif thread
 

apertif- manhattan

digestif- buca

Ive never used these words irl.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
It also works very well with soup since the bubbles contrast the smooth liquid texture of the soup. Try ordering a glass or two with a soup course with your wife, or serving a glass with soup at your next dinner party. It is unexpected and fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

With the right type of crowd/soup you can serve two champagne glasses, one with soup and one with champagne. I did it once and it was a big hit. Go with creamy and smooth soup.

Re: The aperitif thread
 

All,

LEO
Sure. You boys want anything?

RUIZ
Yeah, bring us four fernet.

LEO
Four fernet.

RICKY
No. I'll take a strega.

RUIZ
What, mother[f'er]? You drinking
'the witch' after dinner?

RICKY
Yeah. That fernet tastes like tar.
My grandfather tried to give me that.

RUIZ
Some [f'in] guineas he sent me.
It's midnight and the mother[f'er's]
ordering an apertif.

RICKY
It's a digestif.

LEO
Strega's an apertif.

RICKY
Fine. Bring me a Cynar.

RUIZ
[N*], please. Don't even order
that artichoke [s***]. West side
guineas. Forget the drinks, Leo. We
gotta roll. What do I owe you?

Re: The aperitif thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Champagne as a drink during dinner can be excellent.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, it seems to be overlooked there a lot too. Could have something to do with how hip red wine is. People find a way to drink red with fish and chicken (which can be fine). But if you get back to white, and then consider sparkling to be a regular selection from the white list, you're "golden" (heh).