National Apéritif Day

National Apéritif Day celebrates the apéritif: a light drink enjoyed before dinner to open the appetite and ease into the meal. Apéritifs are often dry, bitter, herbal, citrusy, sparkling, or wine-based, and they pair naturally with small bites and conversation. The word comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” reflecting the drink’s traditional role before food. Holiday Today describes the apéritif as a pre-dinner drink intended to prepare the palate and set a relaxed tone, while BinWise notes that common examples include vermouth, sparkling wine, Campari, Aperol, and cocktails such as the Negroni.

The observance takes place on the third Thursday in May and dates from 2013. Accounts connect its promotion with Lillet, the French apéritif brand, as part of a renewed appreciation for the pre-meal drinking ritual. Holiday Today links National Apéritif Day with Lillet and places its promotion in the 2010s. The holiday is a chance to give the beginning of dinner a little more attention—whether that means sharing a modest drink, enjoying a few savory snacks, or simply slowing down with good company.

How to Observe National Apéritif Day

Celebrate by enjoying a small apéritif before dinner, such as dry vermouth over ice, a spritz, sparkling wine, or another light option. Pair it with simple snacks such as olives, nuts, cheese, or cured meats, and take time to compare different flavors with friends. You can also learn about the difference between an apéritif and a digestif, prepare an apéritif-based cocktail, or choose a nonalcoholic drink with sparkling water, citrus, or herbs. These suggestions reflect the holiday’s focus on modest pre-dinner drinks, small bites, conversation, and an unhurried meal.

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