Pass the Aperitif Cocktail

An aperitif is an alcoholic drink, consumed before the meal in an attempt to stimulate the appetite. While there is no actual guidelines of what makes a spirit an aperitif (champagne is often considered one), this European version of the Happy Hour is usually fueled by flavorful liqueurs.

Vermouth and Campari and other bitter drinks were long favorites in the world of aperitif cocktails, but as tastes turned the dry martini into an appletini, we have also made our aperitifs more interesting. They are coming with more fruits and herbs by major and minor distilleries around the world.

The French enjoy anise-based spirits for an aperitif and Absinthe fits nicely. The liquor was once banned in the United States after it was falsely accused in Europe as being evil due to its high alcohol content. It is now being made in the U.S. by some of the smaller distilleries, including North Shore Distillery, Viridian Spirits and Great Lakes Distillery. North Shore, which also makes an Aquavit for aperitif cocktails, has Siréne Absinthe, a variety with an alcohol at 120 proof. Viridian's 124 proof product was developed in France by an expert in the spirit and launched in America in 2007. Great Lakes offers an unusual Rouge Absinthe, red in color a bit sweeter than the others.

Among two of the other popular aperitifs that have become popular are Grand Marnier and Chartreuse. Grand Marnier, an orange-flavored liqueur with a bit of bitterness and a touch of spice, has been reinvented in the La Vie Grand Mariner campaign, with a collector red bottle. Chartreuse is also making a comeback as the spicy green French liqueur (made by Carthusian monks) is being introduced in cocktails.

An aperitif can be served anyway you'd like, but here are some suggestions from a few of the makers:

Lucid Perfect Pair
1 oz Lucid Absinthe
1.5 oz pear vodka
1 oz peach schnapps
4 oz lemon-lime soda
1 mint sprig

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Lucid Absinthe, pear vodka, peach schnapps, and lemon-lime soda. Shake vigorously and strain into a highball glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

North Shore Distillery's The Gingervit
2 oz Aquavit Private Reserve
.5 oz-1 oz Ginger Syrup (to taste)
1 - 2 Dashes of orange bitters
Club Soda
Orange Slice

Combine Aquavit, ginger syrup and bitters. Pour over ice. Top up with club soda and garnish with orange slice.

Great Lakes La Luna Rossa
1.5 oz Amerique 1912 Absinthe Rouge
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz simple syrup
6-8 drops rosewater
1 egg white

Shake all ingredients extra hard in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled flute.

Grand Marnier's Grand Romance
1.75 oz Grand Marnier® liqueur
.75 oz fresh lime juice
2.5 oz cranberry juice
Dash Angostura bitters
Dash raspberry syrup

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake and serve in a tall glass over ice.

Chartreuse's The Revolution
1 oz. green chartreuse
1 oz. light rum
1 oz. club soda
1 oz. grapefruit juice
3 sprigs fresh mint
Splash of lime juice

Crush ½ of the mint in a tall glass, add lime juice and stir. Fill glass with ice, add rest of the ingredients and garnish with leftover mint and a lime wedge.