Word Of The Day: Apéritif

As if French food weren't already appetizing enough, there exists the apéritif, or "before dinner drink," that helps stimulate the palate. This French word is derived from the Latin verb aperire which means "to open." Not just used as another excuse to drink during the day, the apéritif is served before the meal, often times with an amuse-bouche, as a way to start the meal in a lively manner. There is not one particular alcoholic drink that is served as an apéritif, but rather an assortment of dry champagnes, concentrated liqueurs and fortified wines. Not to be confused with the digestif, which is the "after dinner drink," or the during-dinner-drink, simply known in most countries as "alcohol," the apéritif starts a meal off the right way.