It’s early evening and you are on your way home from work, (or not, as is our case), and a bit hungry but knowing it is way too early for dinner….what to do? Well, the Italians have a great tradition called Aperitivo. The word is derived from the Latin verb aperire, which means “to open” – and the Italian ritual of a pre-dinner drink or two is meant to open one’s stomach in preparation for dinner. Of course, meeting up with friends, or making new ones, just adds to the enjoyment.
How did the Italian aperitivo tradition begin? In 1786, in Turin Italy, Antonio Benedetto Carpano invented Vermouth by infusing white wine with various herbs and spices. His drink became famous for opening the stomach before a meal and hence, aperitivo was born.
So even when the rain is falling or the streets appear empty,
©Blogginginitaly.com
plenty of people in Cortona are enjoying aperitivo at Caffè Tuscher.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Aperitivo at Tuscher – always a good time waiting to be had!
©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Beautiful – wish we were there !
Florence C. Connelly faclarsen@aol.com
LikeLike
Anche io!
LikeLike
Ah, your second home. We remember you coming in after we had a lovely breakfast there. What are the names of the drinks? I love the blue one.
LikeLike
I’ll do some research on that and let you know for when you return!
LikeLike
Fun waitress, interesting looking drinks, and the snacks could just about be a meal!
LikeLike
Yes to all, and Daniela is one of the owners, so always a fun time there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t aperitivo the best? I don’t think I would have survived all of these years in Italy without it…7 euro covers my drink and enough to eat for dinner (apericena style!). 😉
LikeLike
You are so right, and besides the great food and drinks, we have met many interesting people from all over the world at aperitivo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally! I feel like I run into people all over Bologna from having met them during aperitivo adventures. 😉
LikeLike
YUM!!!! I remember that place with delight!! I think you introduced it to us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, in fact I remember well meeting you and your friends in the piazza and directing you to Tuscher. In fact, as I recall, you returned for lunch that day too.
LikeLike