Adri Barr Crocetti

A Vino Aperitivo for the Season

It’s early on Christmas Eve when the phone rings in the parish office, and the caller asks “What time is Midnight Mass?” Honest. Every year at parishes around the world inquiring minds want to know. A friend who was a parish administrator herself said that she fielded dozens of such calls every Christmas. We all chuckled at the goofy question. And every Christmas Eve morning I called my friend at work, put on my silliest, most heavily accented voice and asked the very same question. I could hear the hesitation in her voice while she figured it out, and then she replied “And Merry Christmas to you too, Miss Adri.” It was our very own Christmas greeting.

But Christmas Eve Midnight mass presents its own logistical problems. What do you serve before Mass? We’ve eaten a big feast just hours before, but by the time 10 PM rolls around, as the rest of the relatives arrive for a visit and the drive to the family parish, everyone is ready for “a little something” to tide us over. Somehow when I think of Mass, and what to drink, I think of Italian vermouth – served straight up in a pretty etched glass. But it is Christmas, and that should have you seeing and serving red, the festive kind, crimson with citrus and herbal notes. I know. You think I am talking about Campari, or perhaps Aperol. Nope. Allow me to introduce you to Cappelletti. It’s not the Bridge convention, nor is it Modena’s famous pasta, the “little hats” bathed in capon broth so popular at this time of year. Read more… »

• Adri posted on January 23, 2016
  Ciao Mette, Indeed sunny California is represented in this one. I think you need some warm Punch Abruzzo to keep…
• Mette posted on January 23, 2016
  I recognize California in you choice of drink - It seems a bit too sunny for the freezing weather around…
• Adri posted on January 7, 2016
  Hi Nancy, I am glad you got a kick out of this one. We just laugh about that question. Cheers!
• nancy at good food matters posted on January 7, 2016
  Hi Adri, I'm a little late in arriving here--but the What Time is Midnight Mass is priceless! I was not…
• Adri posted on December 31, 2015
  Ciao Roz, Thanks so much for stopping by and for your good wishes. I hope you are having a wonderful…