Floreale

Roman chamomile leads this one, an unusual choice for an aperitivo and the reason Floreale reads gentler than most bottles in the category. Where MARTINI's Vibrante goes citrus and bitter, this goes aromatic and floral, with just enough bitterness to keep the sweetness in check. It suits people who find classic red aperitivi too aggressive. MARTINI recommends 75 ml over ice with 25 ml of apple juice and 50 ml of soda, finished with a sprig of mint, and the apple is doing real work in that recipe by echoing the chamomile rather than fighting it. It also pours neat over ice with tonic. The Italian aperitivo tradition is a food ritual as much as a drink one, so put out stuzzichini, olives or crisps and the whole thing makes more sense.