One of my favorite moments in Italy is the Aperitivo Hour. Out of Italy you know it as the ‘Happy Hour’. The tittle ‘Happy Hour’ sums up its definition.

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You can enjoy an Aperitivo before lunch or dinner. Before lunch, you can find locals in main squares and bars enjoying an Italian Soda. The typical choices include a Red or White Bitter, Crodino & Cedrata

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In Florence an evening Aperitivo is a glass of red wine, prosecco or cocktail. Amoung the classic cocktail choices you can enjoy a Negroni.

Florence is the birth place of the Negroni cocktail. Negroni celebrated its 100 year anniversary last year. The Cafe Casoni once situated on Via de’ Tornabuoni where you can now find The Giorgio Armani Store.

On May 29 Our first Virtual #TGIF – Thank God its Friday – Aperitivo Time was at The Cooking Touch . The cooking school overlooks the iconic Ponte Vecchio.

Our Aperitivo included a full bodied Red wine from the region of Carmignano. Piaggia 2016 . Chef’s Max, Stefano & Matteo prepared baked stuffed zucchini flower and bruschetta. The bruschetta had a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Rocca di Montegrossi .

Last Friday we met with Local sommelier Ilaria Lorini at Fattoria Petreto. We enjoyed a tour of the Estate with one of the Estate owners Giovanni. Our Aperitivo included dessert wine Petreto Pourriture Noble that paired with the Blu Cheese. The Crisp White wine Podere Sassaie paired with pecorino made with Vegetable rennet. Cheese tasting from organic farm Corzano and Paterno.

Our third #TGIF – The God it’s Friday Aperitivo Time will be on Friday June 19 at 07.00pm Rome Time. We will celebrate the opening a few of our favorite bars around the historical centre.

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Our virtual webinar walk will take back to a Florence during the time of ‘Count Camillo Negroni’. I will stop at two locations in the historical centre. I will reference Luca Picchi’s Book ‘Negroni Cocktail – an Italian Legend’ as we walk around the city centre. If Gilli Caffe is open you may even get a chance to meet Luca! Register for free at my live webinar click on this link , Salute!