How to make a refreshing Aperol Spritz

What I learned about Aperol and how to make a great Aperol Spritz

I had to learn Aperol and how to make a spritz from my eldest daughter while we were vacationing in Italy in Tuscany. But thinking back, I may have learned a little too much about this addictive concoction of Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water.

This has been a hot drink with my daughter and her friends for quite some time. I’m not sure how I missed it, but I’m glad someone finally told me about it and showed me how to make one.

What is Aperole?

Aperol is an Italian aperitif made from a secret blend of herbs, roots and fruits. It is known for its bright orange color and sweet-bitter taste. Aperol is commonly used in cocktails, most notably the popular Aperol Spritz, which is made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water.

Aperol was first created in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers, who owned a small bar in Padua, Italy. They wanted to create a new aperitif perfect for aperitivo hour, the Italian tradition of sipping on a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner.

They experimented with different ingredients and eventually created Aperol, which quickly became popular with their customers. According to their website, its “flavor derives from a secret and original recipe that has remained authentic over time”.

Today, Aperol is enjoyed worldwide and is a popular choice for making cocktails. Known for its sweet and bitter taste, its bright orange color adds a festive touch to any occasion. Its low alcohol content (around 11%) also makes it a good choice for those who prefer a lighter drink.

The Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a popular cocktail that originated in Italy and has gained widespread popularity in recent years. It’s a refreshing and easy-to-drink cocktail, perfect on a hot summer’s day or as an aperitif before a meal.

The Aperol Spritz is made with just a few simple ingredients: Aperol, Prosecco and soda water. Aperol is known for its sweet and bitter taste and has an alcohol content of around 11%. Prosecco is a sparkling white wine made in the Veneto region of Italy.

Known for its crisp, dry flavor, it’s often used in cocktails. Soda water is carbonated water used to add a little fizz and refreshment to the cocktail.

For an Aperol Spritz you need the following ingredients:

• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts aperol
• 1 part soda water
• Ice
• an orange slice or slice for garnish

Start by filling a wine glass or cocktail glass with ice to prepare the cocktail. Pour in the Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water, stirring gently to combine the ingredients. Garnish the drink with an orange slice or slice and serve immediately.

Very adaptable

One of the great things about the Aperol Spritz is that it’s a very adaptable cocktail. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a squirt of club soda or a little more Aperol. If you like it a bit bitter, you can add a splash of soda water or a little more Prosecco. You can also mix and match ingredients to find the perfect flavor balance for your taste.

Another reason for the popularity of Aperol Spritz is its versatility. It can be served as an aperitif before dinner or as a refreshing cocktail during the meal. It’s also an excellent choice for parties and gatherings, as it’s easy to mix up a portion of the cocktail and serve to a group. The bright orange color of the Aperol also gives every occasion a festive touch.

popularity

The Aperol Spritz has become very popular in recent years for a number of reasons. One reason is that it’s a delicious and refreshing cocktail that’s easy to drink. Its combination of sweet and bitter flavors and the crisp and dry taste of Prosecco make it the perfect choice for a sip on a hot summer day or as an aperitif before a meal.

It is a highly adaptable cocktail and can be served as a pre-dinner aperitif or as a refreshing cocktail to enjoy during a meal. It’s also an excellent choice for parties and gatherings, as it’s easy to mix up a batch of the cocktail and serve to a group. The bright orange color of the Aperol also gives every occasion a festive touch.

The Aperol Spritz has also gained popularity through social media and word of mouth. Its colorful and Instagram-worthy appearance combined with its refreshing taste has made it a popular choice among those who enjoy sharing their cocktails online. As more and more people have tried the Aperol Spritz and shared their experiences with it, its popularity has continued to grow.

The refreshing taste and adaptability of the Aperol Spritz, its colorful appearance and popularity on social media have all contributed to its widespread popularity in recent years.

What else can you use besides soda water?

A few variations of mixers can be added to an Aperol Spritz to give it a different flavor or to adjust the sweetness or bitterness of the cocktail. Some common mixers used in Aperol Spritz are:

• Club Soda: This is a common mixer that can be used to add a little fizz and refreshment to the cocktail. It can also help balance the sweetness of the Aperol and the bitterness of the Prosecco.
• Orange Juice: Some people like to add a squirt of orange juice to their Aperol Spritz to give it a fruity flavor. This can help balance the bitterness of the Aperol and add a little sweetness to the drink.
• Cranberry Juice: This can be an excellent mixer for adding some acidity and reddish color to the Aperol Spritz.
• Lime Juice: A squeeze of lime juice can add some acidity and a fresh flavor to the cocktail.
• Ginger Ale: This can be a good mixer to add some spice and a slightly sweet flavor to the Aperol Spritz.

It’s worth noting that these are just a few examples and many other mixers can be used to give the Aperol Spritz a different flavor. Experimenting with different blenders can be a fun way to find the perfect balance of flavors to suit your tastes. Just be sure to use a light hand when adding mixers, as it’s easy to overwhelm the flavors of Aperol and Prosecco.

What’s the best glass to serve an Aperol Spritz in?

The best glass to serve an Aperol Spritz with is a wine glass or cocktail glass. A wine glass, also known as a “flute”, is a tall and narrow stemmed glass used for serving sparkling wine and champagne. It’s a good choice for serving the Aperol Spritz as it allows the bubbly Prosecco to retain its fizz and bring out the bright orange color of the cocktail.

A cocktail glass is another great option for serving an Aperol Spritz. A cocktail glass is slightly smaller than a wine glass and is typically used to serve cocktails. It’s a good choice for serving the Aperol Spritz as it makes the drink easier to drink and helps bring out the bright orange color of the cocktail.

Regardless of what type of glass you choose to serve the Aperol Spritz in, it’s important that the glass is chilled well before serving the cocktail. This helps keep the drink cold and refreshing and also helps preserve the bubbles in the Prosecco.

Do you serve an Aperol Spritz with ice?

Yes, it is customary to serve an Aperol Spritz with ice. The ice helps keep the drink cold and refreshing and also helps to dilute the cocktail slightly, which can be nice on a hot day.

If you’re serving an Aperol Spritz with ice, it’s a good idea to fill the glass with ice before adding the other ingredients. This will help keep the drink cold and prevent it from being watered down too quickly. It’s also a good idea to use large ice cubes, as they melt slower than smaller ones and help keep the drink colder for longer.

If you prefer a stronger, less diluted cocktail, you can reduce the amount of ice or omit it altogether. Keep in mind that the Aperol Spritz is meant to be a refreshing and easy-to-drink cocktail, so it’s generally served with some ice to keep it cool and easy to dilute.

What does an Aperol Spritz taste like?

An Aperol Spritz has a bright and refreshing taste that perfectly balances sweet and bitter. The Aperol gives the cocktail a sweet and bitter taste, while the Prosecco adds a crisp and dry taste. The soda water helps add a little fizz and refreshment to the drink.

What other drinks are made with Aperol?

Aperol is a versatile ingredient used in a variety of cocktails. Some other drinks that use Aperol are:

• Aperol Sour: This is a twist on the classic Whiskey Sour cocktail, with Aperol replacing whiskey. It is made with Aperol, lemon juice, sugar and egg white and is usually served in a Rocks glass.
• Aperol Negroni: This is a twist on the classic Negroni cocktail, with Aperol replacing the gin. It is made with Aperol, Campari and sweet vermouth, and is usually served in a Rocks glass.
• Aperol Gin Fizz: This cocktail combines Aperol with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. It is usually served in a highball glass.
• Aperol Spritz: This is the most famous cocktail that uses Aperol and is made with Aperol, Prosecco and soda water. It is usually served in a wine glass or cocktail glass.
• Aperol Collins: This is a twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail, with Aperol replacing gin. It consists of Aperol, lemon juice, sugar and soda water and is usually served in a highball glass.

These are just a few examples of the many cocktails that use Aperol. Its sweet-bitter flavor and bright orange color make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of beverages.

Do people drink Aperol alone?

While Aperol is often used as an ingredient in cocktails, it can also be enjoyed neat as an aperitif. Aperitifs are alcoholic beverages typically consumed before a meal to whet the appetite. Aperol is a popular choice for an aperitif due to its sweet and bitter taste and low alcohol content (around 11%).

To drink Aperol neat, it is usually served over ice and garnished with an orange slice or wedge. Some people also like to add a spritz of club soda or tonic water to their Aperol to give it a bit of zing and refreshment.

It’s worth mentioning that while Aperol can be enjoyed neat as an aperitif, it’s also a trendy ingredient in cocktails. Its sweet-bitter flavor and bright orange color make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of beverages.