Aperitif

Aperitif is a drink intended as an appetizer and is served before a meal to enhance it.

The word aperitif comes straight from the French apéritif, but can be traced to Latin aperire, which means open. The French expression apéritif (apéro) only means the beverages served before a dinner, which may however be served together with a bite to eat (in French amuse-geules). In Italy, however, an aperitivo means both the beverages and the food and often also some of the appetizers (antipasto).