Apéritifs are drinks, typically alcoholic, that are normally served before a meal. They are intended to stimulate the appetite, and are usually dry rather than sweet.
Common choices for an apéritif are vermouth; champagne; pastis; gin; ouzo; fino; amontillado or other styles of dry sherry (but not usually cream or oloroso blended sherry, which is very sweet and rich).
An apéritif may be served with an hors d'oeuvre or amuse-bouche, such as crackers, cheese, pâté, quiche or olives.
Word origins
Apéritif is a French word derived from the Latin verb aperire, which means "to open". The French colloquial word for apéritif is apéro.