Whet Your Appetite With an Elegant Aperitif

Bittersweet, complex, and composed of Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin, the negroni is not a cocktail for the faint of heart, but it's a sophisticated taste worth acquiring. Once you're hooked, you'll never look back. Photo: Nicole Perry

Kick your evening off right with this elegant Lillet and sparkling wine based cocktail — bonus points if you serve it in a dainty coupe — that's further enhanced with a splash of grapefruit bitters and an orange peel. Photo: Nicole Perry

Fruity and complex, a Lillet Rouge aperitif shines bright when paired with ginger beer and a grapefruit garnish for an exceptionally easy-to-make redheaded ginger cocktail. Photo: Nicole Perry

A popular Italian aperitif, this effervescent, bittersweet, wine-based cocktail is an excellent option for languid, lazy days. Photo: Nicole Perry

This delicate sparkling wine cocktail bursts with St. Germain's elderflower flavor.

A pomegranate-laced riff on the classic aperitif the kir royale, this ruby-hued stunner is easy to make yet full-flavored thanks to a combination of sweet-tart pomegranate liqueur and sparkling wine. Photo: Nicole Perry

Upgrade your standard gin and tonic to a zingy Citrus Quo — all it needs is an extra dash of limoncello and the addition of Luxardo Aperitivo to make it go from average to intoxicating. Photo: Nicole Perry

Simple and satisfying as all get out — believe it or not, it clocks in at a mere two ingredients! — the gin and it is a smooth sipper worth getting acquainted with. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Settle your nerves and your stomach after a harried day with a light and refreshing (and ultrasimple) bicyclette. All you'll need is Campari, your favorite dry white wine, a strip of orange or lemon peel, and crushed ice. Photo: Susannah Chen