Italian Happy Hour Kit

If you know us at Giadzy, you know there's one Italian custom we firmly believe should be standard everywhere: aperitivo hour. Though it shares some similarities with an after-work happy hour—it takes place in the early evening, usually before dinner, and gathers people together over a drink or two—the aperitivo is an iconic Italian tradition. A proper aperitivo requires three things: Low-alcohol drinks such as spritzes or wine to get you ready for an evening out without overpowering the system; good conversation; and extra-tasty snacks.

As any Italian will tell you, it just isn’t an aperitivo hour without some delicious nibbles. This helps bridge the gap before dinner, and also keeps the party going so you’re not drinking on an empty stomach. Most important of these snacks is something crunchy—instead of pretzels or bar nuts, Italians love crackers of all kinds. Next, you’ll want some cheese and salumi for substance. Finally, add in a salty bite like briny olives and some powerful flavor boosters in the form of jams and savory spreads.

This kit contains everything you need to turn your next happy hour into an authentic aperitivo moment. Just bring the cheese and a bottle of wine—with this kit, you’ve got the snacks covered. This box is beautifully packed for the cocktail hour connoisseur in your life.

Discover What's Inside: Learn More About What Comes in This Box

Fig Preserves Jam: With a honeyed sweetness and a flavor like caramelized berries, these fig preserves from Agrimontana are a must-have for cheese plates and more. Made only from these highly prized white figs grown in Cilento, on the southern edge of the Amalfi Coast, these preserves capture more of the fruit’s delicate, unmistakable flavor than any other we’ve ever tried.

Cerignola Green Olives: Olive lovers, rejoice! These Bella di Cerignola olives from Fratepietro are the largest in the world—and we happen to think they’re the tastiest, too. The oversized gems have a notably buttery, nutty flavor that is beloved by olive connoisseurs and skeptics alike. Grown by the Fratepietro family in the southern region of Puglia, these massive beauties are an important piece of Italian culinary history.

Taralli Traditional: Give your snacking an Italian twist with this Pugliese taralli from Danieli. Handmade using a traditional recipe, these charmingly rustic ring-shaped crackers are savory and substantial. They’re simply flavored with extra virgin olive oil, white wine, and a little salt for a mild but unmistakable flavor. They make a delicious aperitivo nibble, with an addictively flaky texture that pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine. Be warned: Once you’ve opened the bag, you might find it hard to stop!

Toketti Flatbread Crackers: An ancient Sardinian bread gets a clever new life in these snackable toketti from Mitica. Pane carasau, sometimes known as carta da musica, is a thin flatbread made with semolina flour that was a staple food for shepherds on the Mediterranean island. Resistant to going stale, pane carasau was perfect for the wandering, nomadic shepherds who traveled the island, though the thin rounds of bread would often break into pieces as they traveled. Toketti takes those broken pieces and fries them for a delicious snack reminiscent of pita chips. The shards are crisp and substantial, perfect for dipping or enjoying alone as part of an easy aperitivo spread.

Organic Basil Pesto Sauce: The key to a perfect pesto lies in its balance, and this organic pesto from Bio Orto is the most beautifully balanced version we’ve ever had from a jar. It starts with deeply fragrant fresh basil and real PDO parmigiano reggiano—no second-rate imposters here. Add mild extra virgin olive oil (also organic, made in-house) and creamy Italian pine nuts, and you’ve got a piquant sauce like no other.