The spritz
The happy hour in Milan is called as in English and all the pubs - in the most popular areas of the city (from Brera to Navigli) - are full of the tasty titbits that you can eat included in the price of the drink ( It can be from 7 to 14 euro). The advantage is that you can eat all the titbits you want and often there also is the pasta.
We well know that the happy hour is an evolution of the classical aperitif. The classic aperitif is still everywhere in Italy. This is an opportunity to meet some friends before the dinner, we knock off the work and we drink nibbling a bit .
It is assumed that after the cocktail you will have your dinner. It is different for the happy hour in Milan because you eat a lot in this occasion.
We can choose between a soft drink or an alcoholic drink. What about an Italian traditional alcoholic aperitif? Try the spritz. Who does not know the spritz in Italy? Spritz is the aperitif par excellence, especially in the area of Triveneto! Its original version- that you can still find in the Triveneto - is made by the white wine and the sparkling water. Obviously, its popularity has created some variants and this drink has become a real aperitif . Now you can drink the spitz with Aperol or Campari added, both are alcoholic drinks.
Your spritz should definitely be served with an lemon peel or a slice of orange and ice. These elements are essential to appreciate it.
It seems that the origin of this drink was prior to our century of consumerism. In the area of Triveneto the domain Austro-Hungarian was present for most of the nineteenth century. It was made with an agreement between the Hungarian nobility and the bourgeoisie of the Habsburgs.
The theories on the origin of the spritz are many: the most famous is that the Austro-Hungarian oppressors liked the Veneto wine, but it was too strong and they added some water. This lightly sparkling drink seems to inspire the joy, the desire to stay together. This is why it has exceeded the boundaries of Veneto and Trentino to get in Lombardy and Piedmont before, then in Tuscany and now it also slowly conquers the south of Italy. One suggestion? When you drink your spritz you can eat some chips and olives- the success is a guaranteed. Salute!
