Digestif vs apéritif

The question has been asked and answered before. Here is Wikipedia's discussion:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ap%C3%A9ritif_and_digestif

I have been told that kir, champagne and aperol spritzers are aperitifs. Last time I was at my favorite restaurant in Montmartre, the waiter gave me a limoncello after the meal and told me it was a digestif. A friend who lives in France told me that Calvados and cognac are digestifs. But, another friend told me Calvados is an aperitif — maybe things can be both. Anyway, I am going to watch this thread to see what others say.

If you want to try the ultimate digestif, Jane, you should partake of a glass of Fernet-Branca after dinner. It has been around as a digestif since 1845 and consists of 27 secret ingredients. Each of those ingredients taste worse than the last, to make the finished product the nastiest thing I have ever put in my mouth. My European friends swear by it, however, as doing wonders for your stomach after a heavy meal, You should try it, just for the experience, but don't say you were not warned! :-)

Don't forget the Norman trou—shot of Calvados in the middle of the meal, to dig a "trou" (trough) and make way room for the rest of the food!

Okay, when I'm in Italy my favorite Apéritif is Prosecco or an Aperol Spritz. France- Kir Royale or Red Wine. When I think of a Digestif, some liqeurs come to mind- Limoncello, Grand Marnier, Kahlua...

One time I ordered a Mimosa before dinner and the bartender said that's a "Brunch drink." ;)

I guess I order what I like and ignore "cultural construct." Cheers!

Hi Jane,

When I was in Italy, I would have a glass of Pinot Grigio before dinner. One time, a waiter friend asked me to try a different Italian wine. I agreed. It was good - different - but I really favor my Pinot Grigio, lol.

After dinner, I would have a little flute of Limoncello followed by espresso and dessert (after a bit of time.)

One night, one of the guys at the restaurant I favored brought me a complimentary glass of Amaro. He asked me to try it. He said it was very different from the Limoncello I was used to. I tried it. Wow, it was very strong. An acquired taste is needed.

I also favor Sambuca after dinner. Don't forget the three coffee beans -
Health, Happiness, and Prosperity.

Amaretto liqueur can be added to Cafe for an after dinner drink. ☕

Fun drinks:.
French Connection - Amaretto and Cognac
Godfather - Amaretto and Scotch

Disaronno Originale is from Saronno Italy.

Wine is our aperitivo of choice as well as for accompanying a meal. Sometimes an Aperol Spritz, especially in summer or in Venice.

Favorite digestivo is grappa but it has to be good grappa, not "firewater" often offered, like limoncello, as a complimentary drink. The good stuff is (usually) the barrique and will be pale gold. I was once offered grappa at 11 am during check-in by a host in Croatia. I objected, saying it was for after dinner and he replied it is better to get your day started. I think he may have had an unfortunate habit.

Amaro is lovely after dinner! Hubby doesn't care for it but I find it delightful and somehow it does not leave me craving chocolate.

Thanks, all! Nukesafe, I followed the link, so thanks for that. And your nasty digestif intrigues me...

We learned about spritzes on our Village Italy tour, both Aperol and Campari. And in Haarlem last year our guide Dimitri insisted we try as a digestif Dutch genever, some varieties of which had herbs.

I tend toward the herbal (don't do most sweets), but DH loves limoncello and other liqueurs.

Keep the ideas coming! And thanks.

Often aperitifs are more likely to be bitter. Sweeter things are usually digestifs, apart from pineau des charentes.

Aperitifs are likely to be fortified flavoured wines, or long drinks. Neat spirits or liqueurs are digestifs.

Merci beaucoup! Je préfére un verre du vin blanc avant le dîner. (Yes, I know one of the accents on préfére is wrong - haven't figured that one out yet without switching to a French keyboard.)

I had the best aperitif in Normandy at an "apple" drink tasting. Range from weak to strong - Apple juice/ Cidre/ Pommeau/Calvados. I LOVED the Pommeau! It is a little like sherry (in fact the guide said he always buys a bottle for his Mom) but better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pommeau

You all might look for this when you are in the Normandy area. I am not sure they export much of it.

Love Spritzes❤️😎🍷

Pam, we got hooked on cider on our Villages of South England tour a couple of years ago, and are eagerly looking forward to enjoying the uh... agricultural bounty of Normandy.

The apple....uh....products are excellent. I’m not a cidre fan but you should get some good products there!

It took me a few days to try the cloudy stuff in a pitcher at breakfast but when I did I could have kicked myself for not trying it earlier!! Yum!

Around these parts whisky (and sometimes whiskey) is a fairly standard apero. Usually the only digestive offered is a coffee.*

*standard french coffee - expresso. Anything else is: a wierd, and b: a lottery

@nukesafe welcome to the World of herbal bitters! Fernet Branca and Jägermeister are probably the most famous, but there are many more out there. Such as the Underberg, also known as the gift for the stomach. It comes in small, handy portion sized bottles, perfect for smuggling into football matches. There is also the gingery, 50% Alcohol Ratzeputs.
Here in Denmark the most widespread is Gammel Dansk, which is commonly drunk as a breakfast digestif.

I don't think I'm quite ready for breakfast digestifs.

Jane you might just need the right kind of breakfast :-)
These days the breakfast digestive is not an everyday thing, it’s reserves for weekends, holidays and special occations. It’s quite common to drink Gammel Dansk at 25 or 50 year wedding anniversaries, which are usually celebrated as “surprize” parties in the mornings.

One of my favorite things about visiting Europe is to slip easily into this custom. I love kir royale or a spritz before and a limoncello after. They just says to me: Wow, I am really here. I don't know why I don't follow this custom more at home.

Laurie Beth, it's a vacation thing. We never have wine with lunch here at home, but often do when we travel. In fact, the sure sign we're in vacation mode is having a glass of wine in the Tulsa airport before we leave for Europe!