Annalisa De Carlo
29 July 2026
Living in Australia has slowly made me more Australian every day. But some Italian traditions remain deeply connected to who I am — and aperitivo is certainly one of them.
Living in Australia since 2019 has slowly made me more Australian every day. I have embraced a new country, a different lifestyle, and a new way of experiencing everyday life. However, some Italian traditions remain deeply connected to who I am, and aperitivo is certainly one of them.
The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning "to open". Traditionally, the idea was that a small drink enjoyed before dinner would open the appetite and prepare the body for the meal to come. Whether this is truly based on physiology or simply a beautiful cultural story passed down through generations is not the important part. What matters is that aperitivo has become one of Italy's most cherished social rituals.
During my early years of travelling, I had the opportunity to discover how aperitivo is experienced in some of northern Italy's greatest cities, especially Turin and Milan. Each city has its own interpretation, and both reveal different aspects of Italian culture.
Although Milan has developed a famous aperitivo style with generous selections of food served alongside drinks, I personally feel a stronger connection with the traditional Torinese approach. Turin is, after all, the city where the modern aperitivo culture was born, thanks to the creation of vermouth by historic producers such as Carpano and Martini.
In Turin, aperitivo is less about replacing dinner and more about creating a moment of pleasure before the evening begins. Sitting in an elegant café or a traditional bar, enjoying a carefully prepared drink, having a small plate of olives, a few pieces of cheese, or some simple snacks — this is where the real beauty of aperitivo lies.
For me, aperitivo should never become too complicated or too expensive. Its charm is in its simplicity. It is about the drink itself, the atmosphere, and the conversation. A well-made Campari Soda, a classic Negroni, a Milano-Torino, or an Aperol Spritz does not need an endless buffet to be enjoyable. A few olives, some small cubes of cheese, and good company are often all that is needed.
The drinks are an essential part of this tradition. Campari represents the unmistakable Italian taste for bittersweet flavours, while the Milano-Torino — combining Campari from Milan with vermouth from Turin — tells the story of two cities that shaped aperitivo culture. The Negroni adds a touch of elegance and complexity, while the Aperol Spritz has brought the Italian aperitivo experience to the rest of the world.
After several years living abroad, I have realised that traditions are not only linked to a place; they are carried with us. Aperitivo is one of those Italian habits that I continue to enjoy in Australia, a small connection to my roots and a reminder of a different rhythm of life.
Because the true meaning of aperitivo is not simply what is in the glass or on the plate. It is the pause at the end of the day, the pleasure of sharing time with others, and the Italian art of enjoying the moment.
That is why, wherever I am in the world, I will always appreciate a proper Torinese aperitivo.
