"A stemmed glass of chilled dry white wine with a dash of cassis in it can lead gracefully to all kinds of skullduggery, gastronomical or otherwise."
-M.F.K. Fisher, Aperitifs: The Civilizing Influence
The aperitif is a delightful tradition, capable of creating as much fun and festivity now as when Ms. Fisher wrote those words way back in 1958.
Whenever I visit my friend Leah's house, whether for a quick hello or a serious chat (or a former that turns into the latter), she graciously offers me an aperitif. Her current signature drink is delicate and refreshing- Lillet, sparkling orange water, and an orange peel- but the gesture is far more important than the recipe. The drink she offers sets our time together apart from the errands I was running, the jarring bus ride over, and the painting she's been working on.
It creates a moment! With a thoughtfully provided drink and good company, and perhaps some chips, a kitchen table beats out the finest bar in town. And though skullduggery may ensue, drunkenness doesn't, due to the light nature of most aperitifs. We head back to the bus, back to our work, ready for more.
Image: Tokyo Terrace
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Comments (19)
You spelled her name incorrectly (sorry! she's my great literary romance). It's Fisher.
http://mfkfisher.com/books.htm
But she's right (and so are you) about the skullduggery.
pamh- Oh my gosh, I'm mortified. Thank you so much for catching my error! This is why you shouldn't write down quotes while you're reading on planes! Thanks again.
I was hoping for recipes or something... I have a new fascination with aperitifs but know little about them!
Here's the recipe for the Red Currant Cosmo featured in the photograph ...
http://www.tokyoterrace.com/2010/07/cocktail-friday-red-currant-cosmo/
That Cosmo is not a very "light" cocktail. Would have been cool to see some recipes, I think we all knew already that cocktails are fun.
Absolutely agree with the concept! I'm enjoying the fact that having a cocktail is in and having drinks is out.
There's an excellent Introduction to Aperitifs over at the Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/liquor/all-about-aperitifs-straight-up-cocktails-and-spirits-082167, and a great article on Food&Wine: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/spirits-the-art-of-the-aperitif. Cheers!
I am going to switch from offering a drink to offering an aperitif! I love it!
@ Tess. I know - hideous. Weirdly, in one of her books she quotes someone addressing her (verbally) and spells is "Mrs Fischer" -- so that may be where this quote came from. I know too much abotu this woman. In any case, go get her book "The Gastronmical Me." I date you not to fall in love.
lovely typos in a post about misspelling. oy.
I am slowly training my friends in the ways of the cocktail. A few stubborn plebs still ask for a gin & tonic at 10pm, but most of them are learning.
The martini is the classic aperitif, as are the Negroni, the Manhattan and the Americano. Unfortunately most of them pack a fair old punch, alcohol-wise. It helps to only serve small glasses and provide canapes or similar.
Prosecco makes a terrific aperitif. My friends and I affectionately call it Bubbles. It's there through the good and the bad, and I agree with you it sets apart our time. Back in the day if the tips were really good, or if the occasion was debauchery, we'd do some Widow Clicquot.
Try it with some olives. The Prosecco, not the Veuve.
And you rock for this post.
campari and soda and twist
or campari with tonic and a twist of lime..yum.
or antico carano on the rocks with a twist... delightful!
"Way back in 1957" Ha! Some of us were alive back then and are still living AND relevant, stylish, and delightful, thank you very much. :o)
What chartreuse said!
But now I don't drink, so don't have alcohol in the house to offer to guests. (My guests understand...)
I adore this idea, but I have to say, finding small martini glasses is difficult without resorting to vintage. Does anyone know of a good place to buy reasonably-priced stemware that I don't have to hold with two hands?
already mentioned, but campari and soda is probably my favorite aperitif. i also like campari, tanqueray rangpur and lime juice. sidecar is also a great pre-meal cocktail, typically, brandy, triple sec, and lemon juice.
@frisk "Resorting" to vintage?! I LOL'd. XD
@JustBekky: Yes, resorting. I don't know about you, but things get broken in my pad, and some of the vintage options are expensive. They are fine for special occasions, but not my casual cocktail party.