Aperitivo was one tradition we fully adopted while in Milan; allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the local culture. 3 Things To Know: 1. Aperitivo is one of the quintessential cultural expressions of Italy. “Aperitivo”, derived from the Latin ‘aperire’, which means “to open”. The tradition is meant “to open” the stomach before dining. 2. An Aperitivo cocktail is typically low in alcohol, served with soda water, and divided into two types: Bitter liqueurs & Aromatized wines. 3. The food for an Aperitivo is not meant to replace dinner. It is typically finger food, coming in the form of cheeses, cured meats, salty snacks etc... Do you adopt the local traditions of the places/countries that you visit?