Summer Is for Aperitivo Hour – Here’s How To Set the Table

Sophie Lou Jacobson Paris totem glass

New York-based designer Sophie Lou Jacobson’s stemless glasses balance beautifully on geometric shapes. Bring a subtle postmodern touch to cocktails, spritzes and beyond. , $139

Black Blaze Oasis serving platter

A good aperitivo hour is also about the spread: fried olives, thinly sliced meats, focaccia served with whorls of butter. A local selection of cheese makes the perfect centrepiece, especially on a board as lush as Black Blaze’s burgundy marble design. , $189

Bed Threads La Fête placemats

Bells, stars, love hearts, candelabras, Martini glasses – all the essentials for a great soiree – are painted in watercolour across these French flax linen placemats. Designed with Aussie artist Annie Everingham, they’re finished with a pink, burgundy and green trim., $90

Fieldbar drinks box

Ditch the esky. If you’re taking aperitivo to the park or the backyard, Fieldbar’s cooler makes things easy (and chic). The easy-to-carry box is finished with a tan leather handle and sleek gold details., $289

Saison Aperitif spring rhubarb

Saison Aperitif’s locally made spring rhubarb vermouth by chef and aperitif obsessive Dave Verheul of Embla is a great place to start. Mix it into an Americano or Bramble and pour it into something special., $60

Robert Gordon condiment bowls

Set the table with olives and dips in these vintage-inspired ceramic bowls from Robert Gordon. Scatter them around or use them to dress up your cheese board., $39.95

Maison Balzac x Sonoma sourdough breadbasket

Bread is an essential part of any good aperitivo. Hold your loaf of choice in these handwoven beauties by Maison Balzac and Sydney bakery Sonoma. Pick from an oval or round shape, depending on your spread., $89

Corey Ashford olive cocktail picks

If not a simple spritz, let it be a Martini – garnished with plump olives lined up on one of Corey Ashford’s cocktail picks. Coming in a set of four, each stainless-steel pick is complete with a faux olive and leaves plenty of room for the real thing., $125

Goldi Extra Virgin Agrumato

Aperitivo hour is as much about presentation as it is about what’s on the plate. Goldi’s premium extra-virgin olive oil comes from Victoria’s Goulburn Valley. It’s designed for precise, mess-free pouring. Drizzle this jalapeno-infused belnd over focaccia, summer salads, grilled vegetables and more for a little kick., $22

Saarde Flow cheese knife

A good cheese board selection balances textures: something soft and creamy, something semi-hard and mild, and something hard and aged. Slice into wheels with Saarde’s curved resin knife. It feels as good in your hand as it looks on the table., $39

Marmoset Found platter

Serve salads, fritters and more in this sculptural ceramic platter by Melbourne-based homewares label Marmoset Found. Its scalloped edges make for a table centrepiece., $149

Citta Terra nesting bowls

New Zealand furniture and homewares label Citta is known for adding texture and warmth to your space. These marble bowls are no different. Three bowls – a brown, forest green and grey – sit neatly inside each other. When they’re on the table, we suggest filling them with Bonilla a la Vista’s chips and other picky bits., $109

Alex and Trahanas Lido ceramic wine cooler

A chilled bottle on standby is best kept cool in Alex and Trahanas’s ceramic cooler made in Puglia. Hand-painted stripes come in yellow, green and blue., $220

Maison Balzac Aperitif goblets

These glass tumblers are made for Negronis. A faux orange slice sits pretty in the centre. It’s also great for levelling up sparkling water. Chin chin! , $99

Kate and Kole caviar spoon

This one might be more of a special wedding gift for the couple who loves hosting. Fine jewellery label Kate and Kole’s new cocktail cutlery takes cues from jewellery. Spoon caviar into this polished and brushed silver, topped with a freshwater pearl., $1390