Digestif

A digestif is an alcoholic beverage that is drunk just after a meal. Bitter or carminative herbs are generally added to the alcohol, and some believe that such digestifs aid digestion, hence the name (which is borrowed from French). Fernet Branca, an Italian herb liqueur, is a popular digestif. In comparison with apéritifs, which are drunk before a meal, a digestif will generally be heavier and more alcoholic.

Digestifs are usually drunk straight (neat) and are most often spirits such as bitters, brandy, grappa, or whiskey. Some wines (usually fortified wines) are served as digestifs, for example, sherry, port, and madeira.

Nonalcoholic drinks following a meal, such as coffee, are generally not considered to be digestifs.