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 these classic taralli from Mitica. Made using a traditional recipe from Puglia, these addictively snackable ring-shaped crackers are savory and substantial. They’re made with ultra-fine type 00 Italian flour and simply flavored with extra virgin olive oil, white wine, and a little salt. Taralli make a delicious aperitivo nibble alongside salty olives or a chunk of aged parmigiano reggiano, that pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine.

Mini Rubata Breadsticks: Oh, the beauty of Italian tradition, where a food as seemingly simple as these mini rubata breadsticks from Mario Fongo has centuries of history behind it. Sure, these perfectly crunchy, deliciously simple little rods are a wonderful aperitivo snack. And of course they’re made with high-quality Italian ingredients by a small family-owned bakery. But they also have a fairy tale-like backstory that inspires devotion, dedication, and love.

Organic Artichoke Bruschetta: For the hearty, nutty flavor of artichokes without the time-consuming prep work, this organic artichoke bruschetta from Bio Orto can’t be beaten. Artichokes are a favorite in Italy for a good reason, but we’ll admit the prep can sometimes be more hassle than we’re up for. That’s when we reach for this bruschetta spread, where chopped, peak-season artichokes are combined with garlic and extra virgin olive oil for a ready-to-use topper for crostini, spread for sandwiches, or pasta sauce.