15 chef-worthy summer appetizers for your next aperitif dinner

Seasonal flavors

Peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, zucchini, for the vegetable part; feta, fresh cheese, ricotta, and goat cheese, for the dairy part; raw Bayonne ham, smoked salmon, Italian cold meats, eggs in all their forms, pink or gray shrimp for the protein part; or even small fruits and honey, for the sweet and sour note, all flavors are possible for a summer aperitif.

The only thing to keep in mind is to prepare bites that are easy to grab between your fingers, or placed in summer glasses for ease. Toasts, crostini, arancini, wraps, spring rolls, savory cake, homemade puff pastries, or sandwiches cut into pieces are easy options to keep in mind. Obviously, sticks of raw vegetables to dip in a creamy, cheesy, spicy sauce, still remain essential for the dinner aperitif, just like avocado in guacamole, salsa, rillettes. tuna, tapenade made from black or green olives, or eggplant caviar.

To read: Quick, recipes for an impromptu aperitif!
Don't forget the intense flavors that will take your appetizers on a journey like spices, candied lemon, or even ginger. Bites that are simple in preparation do not mean simplistic in taste! A simple drizzle of olive oil with plenty of heat changes the flavor of any piece of toast. For freshness, we think of cold soups and gazpacho of cucumber, peas, zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes of course, to slip into small bottles.

100% summer cocktails

When it comes to summer cocktails, we think of the classic spritz that we revisit by changing the liqueur, sparkling wine, or even fruit. Obviously mocktails, these non-alcoholic cocktails, are also perfect alternatives for those who don't drink alcohol! And don't think that a non-alcoholic drink is not interesting. Syrup, fruit juice, tonic, sparkling water, ginger beer, lemonade, fresh herb coulis, burnt rosemary sprig, or even infusion, are perfect options for any budding mixologist. Also, don't forget to include vegetables in your cocktails, like the legendary Bloody Mary with tomato juice. Obviously, the new 2022 non-alcoholic drinks are also perfect drinks to discover or share during your next aperitif and sip throughout the summer.

As for snackable flavors, here is a selection of 15 ideas for summer appetizers worthy of a chef!