Collection:Aperitivo Hour

Aperitivo Hour

Aperitivo hour is the easiest way to entertain all summer. It's the Italian custom of a light drink and a few good bites before dinner, and the whole point is that it isn't fussy. In Italy, "let's go for a spritz" just means "let's get together." At Hudson Grace, we've gathered the pieces that make hosting one effortless: a few snack bowls, the right glasses, and a clever napkin or two. Have these on hand, and a casual gathering with friends comes together in minutes.

Whether it's two friends on the porch or eight around the kitchen island, here's what an aperitivo hour calls for.

Aperitivo hour essentials:

• For the snacks: A triple serve bowl for nuts and olives, plus the baguette and olive tray set.
• For cheese and charcuterie: An olive wood serving board and a Laguiole cheese knife set.
• For the spritz: Any wine glass, an ice bucket, and a green olive to drop in.
• For a cold beer: A highball or pint glass.
• The finishing touch: Clever cocktail napkins and a little balsamico for dipping.

The Serveware That Makes Snacks Easy

Good snacks are the heart of an aperitivo, and the right serveware does the work for you. Our White Ceramic Triple Serve Bowl keeps nuts, olives, and almonds in their own little sections, while the Baguette and Olive Tray Set is made for exactly what its name says. For mini sandwiches and small bites, the Alessia handled platters pass easily from hand to hand. Then, for cheese and charcuterie, a small olive wood serving board or a chip and dip platter rounds out the spread. Because the pieces do the styling, all you have to do is fill them.

The Glass for Every Drink

An aperitivo is generous and easy, so set out whatever suits the group. Our everyday wine glass works for a crisp white, a light red, or a spritz, and a highball or pint glass is right for a cold beer on a hot afternoon. For something with a little more color, the striped and spotted double old fashioned glasses bring the table to life. Keep a glass pitcher and an ice bucket within reach, and refills take care of themselves. Generally, the more relaxed the pour, the better the evening.

How to Make a Spritz at Home

The spritz is the signature drink of the Italian aperitivo, and it's almost impossible to get wrong. The classic formula is the 3-2-1: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol or Campari, one part soda, poured over ice in a wine glass. For an Aperol spritz, finish with an orange slice; for a Campari or a true Venetian spritz, drop in a green olive instead. Then pour, stir once or twice, and you're done. Because it's built right in the glass, you can make one or a dozen without ever measuring twice.

The Little Things That Make It

The details are what turn a drink into a gathering. Our clever cocktail napkins, from the "When Life Gives You Lemons" set to the foggy blue tear-off roll, add a wink to the table. A set of "Cheers" embroidered coasters and our hand-dyed signature linen napkins make it feel considered without trying too hard. Add a small dish of Geaux Nuts and some good balsamico for dipping, and the spread is complete. Because hosting should feel like fun, not work, it's the small touches that do the most.

Common Questions

What is aperitivo hour? It's the Italian tradition of a light drink and a few small bites before dinner, meant to slow down and gather with friends. Typically, it's casual by design, a spritz, some olives and nuts, and good company.

What do you serve at an aperitivo? Light, salty bites: olives, nuts, cheese and charcuterie, and little sandwiches or crostini. A triple serve bowl, an olive wood board, and a baguette tray cover almost everything you'd want to put out.

How do you make an Aperol spritz? Use the classic 3-2-1 formula: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, one part soda water, over ice in a wine glass, finished with an orange slice. For a Campari or Venetian spritz, garnish with a green olive instead.

What glass do you use for a spritz? A standard wine glass is traditional and ideal, filled with ice. Our everyday wine glass works perfectly, and doubles for wine or a cold cocktail the rest of the evening.

What's the easiest way to host friends in summer? An aperitivo hour. Keep a few snack bowls, a set of glasses, and some clever napkins on hand, and you can put out a relaxed spread on short notice without any fuss.