An aperitif (the word comes from the Latin aperire, "to open") is a light, most often dry, modestly alcoholic beverage meant to spark the appetite without overwhelming the senses. A true aperitif, the kind that we love, has a little more flair, more flavor, more color and — yes — a bit more sophistication. These are the aperitifs Aperol and Lillet, drinks that go (mostly) by one name and almost always are concocted from secret herbal recipes.