How To Host A French Apéro

How To Host A French Apéro

Sundays are one of my favorite days of the week. It’s a day to relax and unwind and a perfect day to host a French Apéro with friends. Today, I will tell you how to host a French apéro at home and share a few recipes from one of my favorite French chefs and friend, Véronique, from Cuisine Elegante.

What Is A French Apéro

An apéro, which originates from the French word aperitif, is part of the French joie de vivre, or the joy of living. The French tradition entails a pre-meal gathering of friends incorporating tasteful appetizers, drinks, and conversation. Typically, it’s done before dinner, but you can also do it before lunch.

My favorite thing about an apéro is that it can be done anytime. I love to do an apéro spontaneously, especially on Sunday afternoons. All you have to do is invite a few friends over, set up some small appetizers; no heavy cooking needs to be done for an apéro, turn on a French playlist, pour some wine, and enjoy the conversation.

The French have perfected the art of living, spending meaningful time with friends, and enjoying life’s simple moments, and an apéro is all part of that.

How To Set Up a French Apéro

It doesn’t take much to set up an apéro. Your favorite dishes, wine or champagne glasses, a few candles, and some fresh flowers are all you need. The French believe in using their best personal items daily, including dishware and utensils. Don’t use paper plates or napkins; set up a beautiful environment that everyone will enjoy.

I love to use my gorgeous yet simple platters like this one from Elsie Green or this one. Then I will add little bowls like these, appetizers plates, and vintage glassware and utensils.

You can easily buy flowers from your local grocery store, Trader Joe’s, or a local florist. They don’t have to be fancy, just a simple bunch of flowers in cute glass vases on the table.

I also like incorporating cloth napkins, like striped or navy ones. You can also add a favorite tablecloth, and then, if you have a few candles, add those to the table.

Remember, the key to hosting a French apéro is enjoying time and conversation with friends, so you don’t need to make it a formal presentation.

What Kind Of Food To Serve

Remember that simple is better when it comes to what kind of food to serve at your apéro. You aren’t meant to spend hours in the kitchen preparing food; just gather what you have. Even something as simple as nuts and crackers will do the job.

The overall function of an apéro is to wet the appetite before the main meal, so don’t go overboard when preparing the menu.

Here are some ideas on what to serve:

• Charcuterie Board – Put out a selection of meats, nuts, and olives.
• Fresh Crudité– Serve a platter of fresh or marinated vegetables with a tapenade or hummus.
• Selection of Cheeses– You can put out a few favorite cheeses. Typically, cheese is not served at a traditional French apéro because the French eat cheese before dessert.
• Baguette and Butter– If you’re lucky to have a fresh baguette from your local boulangerie, that’s the best, but if not, any baguette will do.
• Whatever Is In Your Panty– Head to your pantry and see what you have on hand. I always try to keep a jar of olives, some crackers, a package of nuts, and one type of cheese, so I am always prepared for apéro.

Drinks To Serve At An Apéro

Like the food, the drinks you serve at an apéro are meant to be simple and enjoyable, but remember to put out your beautiful glassware.

• Wine or Champagne– Champagne will always be my preferred drink, but if not, I like to serve a crisp white, like a Sancerre, or a cold Rosé.
• Apértif -Some classic French drinks include Lillet, Pastis, or a Kir Royale, a French cocktail made with crème de cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur) topped with white wine. These aren’t my favorites, but they are loved by the French.
• Nonalcoholic Option—Make sure to have a nonalcoholic option, such as sparking water, lemonade, or other juices.

Apéro Recipes

Here are two recipes from Véronique of Cuisine Elegante, perfect for your next apéro. Véronique is a French Chef who hosts private cooking classes and market tours in Paris. I met Véronique after attending one of her cooking classes in December and then with Nathan and London this summer.

I made both recipes for our French apéro, Artichoke Tapenade, served with crackers or crostini. And oven-roasted Asparagus with Vinagarette.

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