Best of 2023: Aperitifs and Liqueurs

What’s the difference between an aperitif and liqueur? Here’s what you need to know, plus easy ways to make the most of our judges’ favourites.

Taken from the Latin aperire, meaning ‘to open,’ an aperitif is something you drink to kick things off. It’s crafted to stimulate the appetite and is typically dry, bitter and relatively low in alcohol – as too much sugar and alcohol can dull the palate early in the game. “The aperitif category is booming in Australia and is rooted in the tradition of enjoying an afternoon snack with a light drink and good company,” says judge Matthew Linklater, brand ambassador for Campari. The best way to drink an aperitif? Matthew says: “You can never go past a spritz – three parts prosecco, two parts bitter aperitif, one part soda.” 

Like aperitifs, liqueurs have their origins in Europe, more specifically in the Middle Ages, when monks began infusing herbs in spirits for medicinal use. These days liqueurs are flavoured with everything from nuts, fruit, coffee and spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Rich, indulgent and often sweet, they’re ideal for sipping neat or on ice as a digestif at the end of your night. Or lighten them up by mixing them into a cocktail, such as the hugely popular amaretto sour and limoncello spritz.