What is an apéritif?

 There are two schools of thought here. First, an apéritif is an alcoholic drink consumed before lunch or dinner, that is perhaps meant to inspire the taste buds for the meal that is to come. It should not be too strong or too alcoholic. Second, in some jurisdictions, apéritif is a legal classification for fortified wines with not less than 15% alcohol.

Ignoring the smothering bureaucracy of the second definition, some examples of the first definition include fortified wines such as sherry, port, Lillet, and the vermouth Dubonnet; "bitters," spirits flavored with bitter herbs or roots, including Campari, Angostura, and Amer Picon; and herb-flavorerd Pastis drinks, such as Pernod and ouzo.

A mixed drink, such as Kir — a blend of dry white wine with a dash of crème de cassis — can also be an apéritif. Champagne is perhaps the most widely recognized apéritif.

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