Giada’s Ultimate Aperitivo Recipe Guide

Aperitivo hour is one of our favorite Italian traditions, a ritual to start the evening with friends, conversation, and – of course – something delicious. From the Latin for “to open,” the word aperitivo literally means to prepare the stomach for dinner. That’s why this happy hour tradition includes lower-alcohol cocktails like spritzes and appetite-priming snacks to carry you through the early evening before a European-style late meal. 

Whether you’re throwing an Italian-inspired cocktail party or just want to start your evening in style, we’ve collected all of Giada’s best recipes for a delicious aperitivo hour.