In France, an aperitif is much more than a drink before a meal to pique the appetite. It is a moment of public and private celebration for young and old, parents and children, close friends and whole villages. Governed by custom and enhanced by ritual, the time taken to sip an aperitif is an essential part of French life. It is a rite in which family, colleagues, friends and acquaintances make the transition from the work world to the personal while sipping a mild beverage, nibbling a few salty snacks, and engaging in lively conversation. The palate and mind together are prepared for a wonderful meal to come. In our busy era, l'aperitif has a special allure. While it's common throughout the US to serve a drink before dinner, this is a way of adding a special European flavor to that enjoyable custom. Illustrated with gorgeous color photographs taken on site in France and complete with more than 50 recipes for aperitifs and the simple and sophisticated finger foods that accompany them, Aperitif is a celebration of this wonderful and beloved French pastime whose time has come in other parts of the world. Including recipes for fruit wines, classic aperitif mixes, and non-alcoholic fruit drinks, as well as delicious appetizers to complement them, Aperitifs will inspire your every occasion. A tangy vin chaud (warm wine) accompanied with rosemary biscotti will lift the spirits on a cold winter evening, while a pitcher of anise-flavored pastis served with olives or pickled mushrooms is an elegant treat for a hot summer's noon. Citron presse, a delicious French variation on lemonade, is a welcome treat for children and parents alike while while feasting on such savories as salted pistachios or toast with tapenade.