Aperitif

A French term referring to a light alcoholic drink taken before a meal. Ideally an aperitif should stimulate the appetite and tantalise the palate, preparing it for greater things to come. The French often enjoy a glass of pastis before a meal. Other popular aperitifs include drinks based on wine (for example, vermouth) or alcohol (for example, anise, bitters) and certain spirits and liqueurs. Arak (an aniseed-flavoured clear spirit) is drunk as an aperitif in some Arabic countries, ouzo in Greece and a glass of fino or manzanilla sherry in Spain.