Santé! The apéritif is back.

Forget the crass cocktail the chic apéritif is the choice of the discerning drinker. From the Latin aperire (‘to open’), an apéritif not only kick-starts the palate before eating but is the most delightful way to begin an evening.

More and more people are falling for the charms of this light, refreshing and aromatic way of drinking, and bars dedicated to apéritifs are opening around the world. Characterised by their dryness, freshness and bitter flavours, many apéritifs are also low in alcohol, making them a perfect choice for health-conscious barflies.

In Apéritif, acclaimed drinks writer Kate Hawkings romps through the history of how these drinks came into being across the great drinking nations of Europe and beyond. And after a look at the science of why these drinks work so well as appetisers, she peruses anything and everything that can be considered as an apéritif: what it is, what to look for and how best to drink it.

From amaro to gin, through fino sherry to arak, Campari and Lillet, and with 50 suggested recipes or serving suggestions for each kind of booze, Apéritif encourages you to sit back, sip, and anticipate the pleasures that the evening holds.