What are Cordial Glasses?
Smaller than a wine glass and larger than a shot glass, a cordial glass is the perfect 2-3 ounce size for sipping Italian apéritifs and digestifs. An after-dinner digestive liqueur is a common site on Italian dinner tables; sipped slowly and served in a special glass, it is a moment to savor.
Apéritif or digestif - what's the difference?
An apéritif is an alcoholic beverage meant to stimulate the appetite before a large meal. Generally not sweet, they are commonly served with small finger foods such as olives, cheese, and nuts.
Digestifs are served after a meal to help aid in digestion and settle the stomach. Common digestifs include fortified wines, brandies, bitter liqueurs, or distilled liquors. These liqueurs are crafted using a variety of herbs, fruits, and spices, resulting in unique flavors and aromas.
Examples of Apéritifs and Digestifs
Fortified Wines - Martini Rosso is Italian vermouth that is slightly sweet, incredibly aromatic, and has a distinctive herbal finish that is accompanied by a subtle bitterness.
Brandies - Vecchia Romagna is an Italian grape brandy and one of Italy's best-selling spirits. Another popular brandy is Grappa, a grape pomace brandy originating in Northern Italy.
Bitter Liqueuers - Amaro Averna made from an infusion of aromatic herbs, dried flowers, spices and liquorice, and Cynar (pronounced CHEE-nar) is an Italian bittersweet amaro made from artichokes.
Distilled Liquors - Limoncello is maybe the best internationally known Italian digestif and one of the most loved. Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavoured and usually a colourless liqueur.
For our photo above we used our Trix Cordial Glasses and a bottle of Frenet Branca.
Fernet-Branca was created in 1845 by Bernardino Branca a self-taught herbalist in Milan. It is made from a blend of over 27 herbs and spices, including chamomile, saffron, and myrrh, and has a distinctively bitter taste. The formula remains a secret to today and is passed down from generation to generation.
Enjoy the ritual!
Drinking Italian apéritifs and digestifs is not just about the taste; it's also about the ritual. Enjoy your aperitif or digestif by taking small sips and let the flavors unfold on your palate. Slow down and enjoy the complex blend of herbs and spices and savor a moment of pure indulgence.
Find your favorite pattern in our catalog of Cordial Glasses.
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