Italians have given us a lot we should be thankful for: gelato, espresso, Luciano Pavarotti. But if there’s one Italian tradition we’ve embraced wholeheartedly, it’s their version of happy hour: aperitivo. And can you blame us? A pre-dinner drink with salty snacks surrounded by your housemates or family at golden hour – bliss! But the best thing about aperitivo is you don’t need to visit a wine bar in Venice to achieve the same vibes. With a few must-haves, it’s easy to create this sunset pastime at home.

1. Do as the Italians do 

By far, the most important element of aperitivo hour is the drinks. And, if you’re being autentico, there’s only one signature aperitif you need to serve: the Aperol Spritz. With its bright-orange (read: Instagram-worthy) hue, an Aperol Spritz eludes good times. Throw in its bitter-yet-refreshing citrusy flavour, plus its lower alcohol content, and it’s the ideal drink to enjoy in the sunshine pre-dinner. 

Of course, one of the best things about the Aperol Spritz is just how easy it is to make, something that’s important when you’re hosting a group of people. No need for mixers, muddlers and shakers, all you need is a wine glass. Simply mix 60ml of Aperol with 90ml prosecco and 30ml soda water. Top with as much ice as you can and garnish with a large orange wedge. You can also play with the flavours to add your signature touch. For example, replace orange wedges with lime, as we did here, or to really make a statement turn it into a slushie and top with bay leaves – trust us, you’ll never look back. 

2. Add the essential trimmings  

Next up in nailing an aperitivo is the food. While the wine bars in Venice might dish up plates of hot snacks such as arancini, meatballs or grilled seafood, the fact is, you can aperitivo any way you like. 

Salty snacks are thought to provoke thirst, which the citrus and bubbly in an Aperol Spritz quenches, while the bitterness awakens the appetite. You can go as basic as a trifecta of olives, nuts and potato chips, and no one has ever turned down a good charcuterie board, crammed with local artisan cheeses, cured meats and seasonal treats. 

But when the sun is shining, your your housemates or family are swarming and the Aperol Spritzes are flowing, there’s something special about making a few snacks from scratch. This charred tomato and olive salsa with fresh burrata is quick and easy to prepare. Or why not try this red pepper, tomato and macadamia dip, a fusion of Italian and Aussie flavours? It’s punchy and fiery, and goes hand-in-hand with our cranberry and grapefruit twist on the classic Italian spritz. 

3. Set the scene

With the two big elements of drinks and food covered, it’s time to move to the finer details. There’s no doubt aperitivo is best enjoyed al fresco, so before you begin, schedule in some light maintenance to get your backyard, deck or patio looking its best. You want conversations to flow easily, your Aperol Spritz accessible and snacks grazable, so a central table lends itself particularly well. However, being the laid-back type we Aussies are, you could also rid the table and chairs completely and have a relaxed picnic with rugs and cushions instead. 

To really set the scene, select a colour scheme that will make your fellow drinkers feel like they’ve been transported to the Amalfi Coast – think bare wooden surfaces, soft blue linen, small white plates and the odd lemon scattered about. The best bit about aperitivo is you don’t need to have formal place settings, in fact, you don’t really even need knives and forks. Use skewers and toothpicks for grazing, and provide small bowls for olive pits and the like. Top it all off with some mellow lounge music (or Luciano Pavarotti, if you so please) and you’re an official aperitivo pro. 

Of course, the very essence of aperitivo is la dolce vita, so as long as you have an Aperol Spritz in hand and a few snacks to nibble on, you can consider it a party well thrown. This article is brought to you by Aperol Spritz.