For many people, theFriday evening aperitif is a convivial tradition that marks the end of the working week and the start of the weekend. It’s a time for relaxation, sharing and pleasure, when friends and family get together. For this gathering, especially when it’s improvised during the week, the aperitif kit is THE ideal solution to simplify the organization of the evening, while guaranteeing a quality moment. A successful aperitif must be diversified and adaptable to all tastes. It should include a selection of drinks, a variety of appetizers, quality products and, why not, a touch of originality. The aim is to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, where every guest will find something to his or her liking. In the following lines, we will detail the various elements that make up this pleasant moment of sharing that punctuates the weekend.
Choice of beverages
The choice of drinks is an important part of your Friday evening aperitif (or any other day for that matter).
It’s a good idea to think in terms of diversity, so as to please all your guests. Offer several types of wine, beers and ideally a few cocktails, so that there’s a maximum choice. Of course, before going any further, it’s important to remember that alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health, and should be consumed in moderation. It’s also essential not to neglect non-alcoholic beverages when preparing your aperitif. Non-alcoholic beverages allow you to offer a choice to all your guests, including those who don’t drink alcohol and/or prefer not to drink only alcoholic beverages during the evening. With this in mind, refreshing, thirst-quenching beverages such as homemade flavored waters are just the thing, as they allow you to drink something other than water, although of course you’ll need to think about that too (still as well as sparkling to suit everyone).
Practicality of the ordered aperitif kit
When you’ve got a busy schedule, especially on weekends, it can be difficult to find the time to prepare an aperitif to welcome family and/or friends. That’s where prepared aperitif kits come in, which you can order and have delivered straight to your home. This option will simplify the organization of your evenings and make them child’s play. A aperitif kit, like this one from Domaine Picard ordered earlier in the week will save you the trouble of going shopping and getting everything ready before your guests arrive. All you have to do is arrange the contents of your aperitif kit carefully on your wooden boards and/or slates, depending on what you have at home, and you’re ready to go !
Easy ordering and delivery is another major advantage. In just a few clicks, you can receive an aperitif kit for several people, offering maximum choice and saving you precious time by simply arranging the kit for presentation to your guests.
Variety of cold cuts
Charcuterie is, along with cheese, the central element of a successful aperitif. To compose the ideal platter, it’s a good idea to choose a variety of products to offer maximum choice. Some will even take the opportunity to introduce you to the local speciality, the andouillette arrageoise. But whatever happens, you’ll want to vary the textures and flavors to create a rich, gourmet assortment.
That’s the key to success !
Presentation is almost as important as selection. Arrange the slices elegantly, rolling or folding some of them. Add olives, gherkins or small onions to accompany these charcuterie pieces and make your guests’ mouths water.
Cheese selection
A good cheese platter is a must for any aperitif. For a well-balanced selection, we recommend a variety of cheese types: a hard cheese, a soft cheese, a blue cheese and a goat’s cheese. Each type offers a unique taste experience and pairs differently with wines, breads and charcuterie. When it comes to presentation, pay particular attention to the aesthetics of your platter. Use wooden boards or slates, arrange the cheeses harmoniously and add touches of color with grapes, walnuts or figs. This not only makes your table more attractive, but also stimulates your guests’ appetites ! Small slices of farmhouse or walnut bread are ideal for savoring cheeses. For more refined aperitifs, jams such as fig or black cherry jam, honeys and/or chutneys can enhance the taste of the cheeses. 
Choice of bread / loaves
Bread and crackers form the basis of many an aperitif. They are essential to fully appreciate cheeses, cold meats and spreads. The right choice of bread is crucial to the success of your impromptu Friday evening aperitif. While the aperitif kit may have been ordered in advance and received a few days earlier, you’ll still need to make a little detour to the bakery before your guests arrive, to offer them some fresh bread to match the charcuterie and cheeses you’ve planned. Ideally, offer a variety of breads, which shouldn’t be a problem when you consider all the possibilities that exist: traditional baguettes, wholemeal breads, cereal breads, ciabatta, olive or nut breads, and so on.
Sweet treats
Finally, a good aperitif wouldn’t be complete without a touch of sweetness. Sweet little treats provide the perfect balance after a series of savory and spicy flavors. They can be simple or more sophisticated, depending on the time you have available and the content you want for your aperitif. Mini fruit tarts, chocolate truffles, colorful macaroons or small cream puffs are elegant and delicious options. These sweet treats can often be ordered in advance from your baker, who, as we saw above, will need to provide a hook for the bread anyway.
C.S
