digestif

This term describes a specific ritual of dining, typically associated with formal European culinary traditions. It carries a connotation of luxury and leisure, marking the transition from the active phase of eating to the relaxed phase of conversation and reflection.

While often used interchangeably with "after-dinner drink," a digestif specifically implies a functional purpose—the belief that the alcohol helps the stomach process a heavy meal. It is the direct counterpart to an "aperitif," which is consumed before the meal to stimulate the appetite.