National Aperitif Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cocktail Liquor
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: 3rd Thursday of May
Holiday emoji:: 🥂

National Aperitif Day arrives every third Thursday in May, inviting us to indulge in the delightful tradition of pre-dinner drinks. These flavorful beverages, from dry vermouth to sparkling spritzes, originated in France but are now enjoyed globally as a sophisticated start to any meal. Raise a glass, explore new recipes, and share your favorite aperitif moments.

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History
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FAQs
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Expected National Aperitif Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows National Aperitif Day often inspires delightful deals from liquor stores and bars. Expect retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo! to feature discounts on popular aperitif brands such as Campari, Aperol, and various vermouths. Local restaurants and cocktail bars may offer special aperitif menus or happy hour pricing on classic serves like a Negroni or Spritz. Look for brands like Lillet and Martini & Rossi to run online promotions or cocktail kit giveaways. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 20 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Aperitif Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalAperitifDay. Share visually appealing photos of your favorite aperitif cocktails or a chic pre-dinner setup.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalAperitifDay. Film a quick tutorial on mixing a classic aperitif or review a new bottle you’ve discovered.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAperitifDay. Share your aperitif traditions, recipes, or host a virtual tasting with friends.

National Aperitif Day Hero

Gaspare Campari

Gaspare Campari was an Italian distiller who, in 1860, created the iconic Campari bitter liqueur in Novara, Italy. His secret recipe, a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit, became a cornerstone of Italian aperitif culture. Campari's legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of his eponymous aperitif, which remains a staple in bars and homes worldwide, especially in classic cocktails like the Negroni and Americano.

History of National Aperitif Day

An aperitif is a refreshing alcoholic drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. It is a liquid appetizer. Aperitifs are usually served to guests during a dinner party, with or without food. Of course, there’s no rule that you can’t unwind with aperitif after a long day. From Campari and Aperol to cocktails like the martini, aperitifs are available in many brands and forms. The spirit offers a delightful and flavorful drinking experience.

The word ‘aperitif’ is French. However, in Italian, it is known as ‘aperitivo.’ Both words have their roots in the Latin word ‘aperire,’ meaning ‘to open, or uncover.’ These drinks were designed to heighten the appetite and prepare the palate for food. Most people serve aperitifs with complex or fatty meals. The word ‘aperitif’ may be used to describe a class of alcoholic beverages and cocktails in which they’re found. These cocktails and alcoholic drinks usually contain herbs or other ingredients that whet the drinker’s appetite.

Aperitifs are very common in Europe, especially in France and Italy. They’re often served as parlor drinks before and after dinner for a heightened dining experience. Instead of an aperitif, some prefer to drink a digestif — a drink that aids in digestion — at the end of their meal. Similar to the American happy hour, bars in Europe serve aperitifs with light snacks for their patrons to enjoy.

National Aperitif Day timeline

5th Century

The Earliest Mention of Aperitifs

Diadochos of Photiki mentions aperitifs in his works.

18th Century

Italy Becomes the Aperitif Center

Entrepreneurs in Turin, Italy, begin producing large quantities of aperitifs.

1860

The Rise of the Campari Group

Gaspare Campari creates the iconic aperitif brand: Campari.

1900s

Aperitifs Arrive in the U.S.

The aperitif travels to the U.S. from Europe.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Aperitif Day

Local bars and restaurants can celebrate National Aperitif Day by crafting special aperitif menus featuring classic and innovative pre-dinner drinks. Offer tasting flights of different vermouths or spritzes, or pair aperitifs with small, complementary appetizers. Retail liquor stores can create curated ‘Aperitif Kits’ with a bottle of vermouth, a bitter liqueur, and a recipe card. Consider hosting an in-store tasting event to introduce customers to new brands and serving suggestions, encouraging them to explore the world of aperitifs.

National Aperitif Day FAQs

When is National Aperitif Day?

In 2027, National Aperitif Day will be observed on Thursday, May 20, continuing the tradition of celebrating the art of the aperitif. This annual event encourages exploration of various light, often bitter, beverages.

What is the most popular aperitif?

The Aperol Spritz consistently ranks high in popularity, especially during warmer months, with millions enjoying its bittersweet profile. Other strong contenders include classic dry vermouths served neat or on the rocks, and various amari.

How many types of aperitifs are there?

The world of aperitifs is vast and ever-expanding, encompassing hundreds of regional and international varieties. From light sparkling wines and fortified wines to herbal liqueurs and dry ciders, the options for a pre-meal drink are extensive, catering to every palate.

What is the difference between an aperitif and a digestif?

The primary distinction lies in their timing and purpose: aperitifs precede a meal to awaken the palate, while digestifs follow it to settle the stomach. Common aperitifs include vermouth, gin, and light cocktails, whereas digestifs might be liqueurs like limoncello, espresso, or a fine Scotch.

National Aperitif Day Activities

Host a dinner party
Celebrate National Aperitif Day by hosting a dinner party. However, this cannot be just any other party. Remember to begin the meal with aperitifs and end it in style with another variety of aperitifs or digestifs.
Make your own cocktails
Show off your bartending skills on National Aperitif Day. Whip up your favorite aperitif-based cocktails or experiment with new recipes and call your friends over for a little taste test — how fun does that sound?
Visit a bar
Does your favorite bar serve the best aperitif cocktails? Celebrate National Aperitif Day with your favorite aperitif cocktails at your favorite bar. Invite your friends to join the fun too!

5 Interesting Facts About Aperitifs

The Queen has a favorite aperitif
The Queen’s favorite aperitif is a gin and Dubonnet garnished with lemon.
There’s a reason why aperitifs are bitter
Bitter drinks help us become more alert and ready for the meal we’re about to consume.
Campari got its red color from beetles
When it was first produced, Campari got its bright red color from cochineal beetles.
Digestifs are the opposite of aperitifs
Unlike aperitifs, digestifs are served after food to aid your digestion.
James Bond loved aperitifs
The Negroni cocktail — Bond’s favorite — is traditionally made using gin, Campari, vermouth, and orange peel.

Why We Love National Aperitif Day

It appreciates aperitifs
We love National Aperitif Day because it appreciates delicious and culturally-rich aperitifs! It recognizes that aperitifs don’t just taste great but also get our appetites ready for a flavorful meal.
It’s a day to relax
National Aperitif Day is celebrated by drinking aperitifs and aperitif-based cocktails. It is a holiday to get together with friends, visit your favorite bar, and let your hair down.
It encourages experimentation
National Aperitif Day urges us to be creative and daring in our culinary experiments. So, throw in a dash of this and that to create the cocktail you’ve been dying to try.