as the sun GOES DOWN

We love the idea of the cinq-à-sept, a social break between five and seven o’clock that is a relaxing reward for a busy day and a prelude to dinner. All the better if you can take the party outside to sit and admire the sunset.

Here’s a chance to be a little more European with your platter. Let people spread their own chicken liver paté onto toast points. Wash radishes, cut them in half (or keep breakfast radishes whole) and serve with cold butter and flaky salt. Wrap cheese straws in prosciutto and fill a bowl with green olives stuffed with almonds. You could even include a bought hors d’oeuvre like sausage rolls, served hot from the oven.

You could serve wine but this is a great chance to pour traditional aperitifs, like vermouth on the rocks. Based on Niagara Gewürztraminer, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Sweet Vermouth (LCBO 571133, $19.95) isn’t too sweet or too heavy though it’s richly infused with precisely balanced botanicals that give warm spice and citrus flavours—great on the rocks. Dolin’s classic dry white Vermouth de Chambéry (LCBO 370858, 375 mL, $15.50) is more delicate and floral than Italian vermouth; I like it straight up, chilled from the fridge. Bittersweet Italian aperitifs are all the rage and Poli produces a lovely one— Airone Rosso (LCBO 666685, 700 mL, $33.95). Scarlet, with hints of sour cherry and herbs under the orange peel, it’s great with a splash of soda or Prosecco.

Mix equal parts vermouth and Airone Rosso with ice and soda to make your own variation of an Americano cocktail. An opened bottle of vermouth will keep for three months in the fridge.