L’Antiquario bartender Alex Frezza shares his tips for preparing the perfect aperitivo, Italian-style.
Ranked among the best bars in the world in 2022 (at number 46 in The World’s 50 Best Bars ranking), L’Antiquario boasts an international charm.
Distinguished by a retro design with red velvet sofas and floral wallpaper, the bar is an intimate place with a warm welcome in perfect Neapolitan style.
We met Frezza on February 8 for Bartending Nights, an evening hosted by Sanpellegrino and Acqua Panna at Bar Stilla inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan’s fashion district. Bar Stilla is open all day, serving espresso breakfasts and, in the evening, elegant aperitifs and after-dinner drinks.
How to prepare the perfect aperitivo at home
“The drink should be the perfect blend of bitter and sweet,” Frezza explains. “At home you should always have a bottle of white wine open. It’s also useful for cooking. Then you need a bitter, preferably Italian, with bitter and fragrant notes.
Ice is also essential, because one of the characteristics of the Italian aperitif is precisely its freshness.”
Recipe for preparing the aperitivo at home according to Alex Frezza
Ingredients
- 1 part bitter aperitif
- 2 parts white wine
- 1 part soda or tonic (sparkling wine can also work)
- Ice
- Orange slice
Preparation
Put some ice cubes in a glass (glass or wine glass). Add the bitters and white wine, stir with a spoon and top up with the tonic. Garnish with a slice of orange and serve.
What to eat when preparing the aperitivo
The concept of aperitivo is intrinsic to Italian culture. The aperitif is a moment dedicated to having a drink before dinner. The norm is to serve the aperitivo with something to nibble on, but this should never satiate but rather increase the desire to finally sit down at the table. For this reason, Frezza suggests serving the appetizer with a crunchy snack, such as croutons or crackers.
As for cheeses, aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are perfect; a few flakes will suffice. A slice of Camembert is also excellent if you prefer soft cheeses. Something fatty is necessary to accompany the crunchy carbohydrates for a balanced appetizer.
It is also possible to substitute cheeses with a seasoned salami such as prosciutto crudo. Olives are always a good pair.
Photo by Allan Francis on Unsplash
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