Aperitifs to Get the Party Started

Aperitifs are your go-to drinks for offering guests when they arrive. Typically dry and served lightly chilled, these are refreshingly-light alcoholic beverages used to help activate a person’s appetite, setting them on the course for a memorable evening of festivities. We’ve put together a list of what we believe to be some of the best aperitifs going, so you can be sure you’re starting the party right next time you have family and friends over!

We wouldn’t be covering this topic properly without highlighting Aperol. This is the number one aperitif globally, often drizzled into a flute of bubbly Prosecco to create Aperol Spritzers. The original recipe for this Italian speciality has been a closely guarded secret for more than a century, however we do know it packs wonderful rhubarb and orange flavours and can be served up in many different ways – as well as enjoyed neat.

Ah, the Negroni cocktail. Another popular Italian speciality made from one part gin, one part Campari and one part sweet vermouth. Made in the traditional method, the Negroni should be stirred and served on the rocks, with some orange garnish for extra fruitiness and zest. It’s typically a very bitter beverage, but the orange garnish and sweet vermouth help to provide a healthy balance to the bitterness, leaving you with a slightly more alcoholic aperitif to liven up proceedings!

Try making a “Rogroni” by mixing the Regal Rogue Bold Red Vermouth with equal parts of Campari and gin.

When it comes to serving as aperitifs, the best white wines to choose are typically light, dry, crisp and fresh. Low in sugar and relatively low in alcohol, these wines help to refresh the palate and stimulate the appetite, without leaving age-induced flavours lingering on the palate!

A bottle of the ever-popular Pinot Grigio will work well here, with both Italy and Australia producing some seriously refreshing examples. A Sauvignon Blanc will go down a treat too, with New Zealand producing some quality, distinctive bottles!

Everyone loves gin, right? The resurgence of gin has actually become more of a phenomenon, whether it’s being used for standard G&Ts or to create an array of weird and wonderful cocktails.

Gin packs abundant zest and freshness with juniper and citrus notes. These brilliantly balance out the bitter-sweet tonic water in a gin and tonic, leaving you with an incredibly popular and light tipple that can definitely be enjoyed as an aperitif. Alternatively, try whipping up a classic gin martini by mixing your favourite gin with a dash of dry vermouth and some lemon garnish!

Fino sherry is the freshest and lightest type of sherry, making it a brilliant option for stimulating the taste buds upon arrival. It’s typically quite crisp and has a very dry finish, which is followed up by a pleasant aftertaste of almonds to boot. If you fancy giving this a try, look no further than the Fernando de Castilla Fino Sherry from Spain.

Manzanilla sherry is another good choice of aperitif as it’s also very dry and fresh. Light and delicate yet smooth on the palate, you’ll find a zesty brightness about this tipple as well as occasional coastal aromas of sea salt. We won’t go into the specifics of how these sherries are made, but all you need to know is they’re a great drop to kick-start the evening!

And lastly, but by no means least, we have sparkling wines. Whether it’s Champagne or Prosecco, or fizz made here in the UK, they are a staple when it comes to merry get-togethers. The combination of dry wine and lively bubbles make these a brilliantly refreshing option for starting off the evening. Our choice – a lovely dry Prosecco, a light and more affordable alternative to Champagne that comes with all the fun and celebratory feel! For more inspiration, view our range of sparkling wines.