Aperitif: Recipes for Simple Pleasures in the French Style [Hardcover]

Georgeanne Brennan (Author), Kathryn Kleinman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

To the French, an aperitif is so much more than a cocktail. It is a rite by which family and friends pass from work to leisure while sipping a mild beverage, enjoying a few savory snacks, and engaging in lively conversation. Aperitif is a gorgeous celebration of a ritual we can now all enjoy. Illustrated with sumptuous photographs taken on location in France, this beautiful volume comes complete with more than fifty recipes for fruit wines, classic aperitifs, and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as the simple but sophisticated finger foods that accompany them. A gift of memories for those who love France and a taste of la bonne vie for those who have never visited, Aperitif is a passport to the glories of the French countryside and the time-honored traditions of its table.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Popular throughout the Mediterranean, an apéritif is a drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite. For the French, it is also a convivial ritual enjoyed by all, a time for sharing conversation and a bit of food along with an elegant flute of champagne, a cloudy glass of bracing anise-flavored pastis, and a glass of lemonade for the children.

Georgeanne Brennan, who divides her time between Provence and a farm in Northern California, explains the chronography of the apéritif ritual. Her historical background fascinates. The stories accompanying recipes for homemade vins maisons such as cherry-flavored Guignolet enchant.

Brennan tells how to brew your own apéritifs from scratch. If you enjoy une petite verre--a drink before dining--Brennan also tempts you to explore French classics like Lillet, Dubonnet and Suze. Her recipes for suitable accompanying nibbles will enhance the cocktail hour.

Atmospheric photos give Apéritif the glow of lounging on a sunny terrace or of lingering through the lavender twilight with a relaxing glass in hand.--Dana Jacobi

About the Author

Georgeanne Brennan is a food and garden writer who divides her time between Northern California and Provence. Her previous books include Chronicle Books' Potager , The Glass Pantry , and The Vegetarian Table: France .

Kathryn Kleinman, winner of a James Beard award for photography, specializes in food and flower images. her work has appeared in Chronicle Books' Salad , Sushi , On Flowers , The Glass Pantry , and Les Immortelles .

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1St Edition edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811810771
• ISBN-13: 978-0811810777
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars concisely written history and recipes, December 22, 1998

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This review is from: Aperitif: Recipes for Simple Pleasures in the French Style (Hardcover)

Well written with beautiful photographs , this book explores the history and appeal of the aperitif.It provides not only the recipes for cocktails, but also distilling methds for old world distilled spirits .Accompanying th cocktail recipes are simple but delicious food ideas to serve with the drinks.The book is romantic and draws you into the French world of aperitif.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm in love, October 24, 2009

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Nik "Nik C." (Brooklyn, N.Y. USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Aperitif : Stylish Drinks and Recipes for the Cocktail Hour (Paperback)

I really love this book. Brennan gives recipes for making your own apertifs for parties, gifts for friends, neighbors, etc., dinner for two or a one man/woman seating. She give instruction on how to bottle, cork and seal them. How and where to store and for how long, if applicable. There are recipes for cool drinks, liquored drinks (for adults), non alchoholic drinks (for children and non drinkers) and she walks the owner of this book through the hosting of an apertif gathering. In the rear of the book there are recipes for elegant, yet very easily made finger foods to help open the digestion. And throughout there are cute stories. It is also an educative book.

This is a very concise book, written with care and love. You can feel it as you read.

This book is trully an experience. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice gift book., October 17, 2001

By 

Nelson Aspen "Author/Journalist" (Los Angeles & NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Aperitif: Recipes for Simple Pleasures in the French Style (Hardcover)

This volume makes a nice gift for the accomplished chef. Although the title claims simplicity, I found many of the recipes not worth the effort. It is, however, a handsome book and a good addition to your kitchen collection.