The heat of the afternoon eases and neighbourhoods come to life. Whether in a city, town or small village, the beauty of an unfolding summer evening is magical.
Folk, young and old slowly appear. The elderly gather in groups sitting on benches in piazzas for a leisurely chat, young adults congregate in corners of the same piazza with their beverages of choice, middle-aged couples meet up with friends for a pre-dinner cocktail spilling into the piazza from restaurants and bars while young couples, some pushing perambulators, take their evening stroll around perimeter of the piazza.
It is a gentle time of the evening which eventually extends into the night. The piazza can become crowded, however, each is respectful of the other. Unspoken respect for the senior members of the community is evident, respect of space and privacy is apparent, the conversation is barely audible while the tinkle of laughter is pleasant to the ear. There is none of the familiar loud, rowdy behaviour of gatherings that we’re used to at home. There is an obvious air of civility!
However, there is, something else that has captured my attention. My eyes were drawn to the vibrant orange aperitif that all the Milanese seem to be drinking.
We continue to appreciate the beautiful wines as we drive south through the Italian countryside over the next few weeks. By the time we arrive in Arezzo, I am intrigued. Even the Tuscans have embraced this aperitif. Surely they haven’t lost the taste for their fine wines!
And so it is, after a hot summer day jaunt through the rolling countryside, winding our way through backroads among vineyards and stopping to purchase a few bottles of renown Montepulcian wine to savour on our journey further south that we arrive back in Arezzo in time for cocktails before dinner. And, everywhere I look the locals sitting down with those orange drinks!
I prod him, and he bravely asks the couple sitting across from us what they are drinking. Aperol Spritz, they say. We are none the wiser and it’s time to order.
We are hooked. The most wonderful way to start an evening joining the locals and tourists alike, sipping our refreshing Aperol Spritzers mixed with watching an evening slowly unfold in a small Italian town. Is this La Dolce Vita?
It costs Euro 8! Aha yes, but that includes olives, cheese and focaccia pieces to nibble on.
Fast forward a couple of years and back at home, Aperol Spritzers are in vogue. And, here we sit on our balcony on another hot summer evening sipping on our Aperol Spritzers watching the locals going for their evening walk along the riverfront.
You don’t have to be in Europe, have one of these at home this summer. The recipe is below. Be warned – Aperol Spritzers can be addictive!
3 parts Prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 part Soda Water
Add a slice of orange, load with ice and enjoy!
Ah, but the beauty of a summer evening in Europe! We cannot wait to see what they are drinking in Europe this year.
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