Aperol is a favourite summer cocktail ingredient, and it’s not just for spritzes. Its light yet complex flavour lends itself to a range of refreshing cocktails to try. Why not have a go at mixing your own versions, for the perfect laid-back drink to enjoy while we make the most of the last days of summer.
Aperol was originally developed as an aperitif, which are alcoholic drinks designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal. These aren’t limited to one particular type of alcohol, but they usually include a fortified wine or liqueur. It’s common practice to be offered an aperitif in European restaurants.
Aperol is a bittersweet low-alcohol liqueur made from oranges, rhubarbs, and a range of herbs, which give it a distinctive bright orange colour. It’s become very popular over the last few years, but it has been around since 1919, when it was first invented in Padua, Italy, by two brothers named Luigi and Silvio Barbieri.
The Aperol Spritz
One of the easiest and most popular ways to enjoy Aperol is as a spritzer, made from prosecco and soda water, served on the rocks with a slice of orange. It’s the perfect drink for chilling out with friends on long hot summer evenings.
The Italian Job
This popular cocktail is an eye-catching reddish orange colour which looks very striking in a coupe glass. One for those summer parties to brighten up the photographs, it will no doubt garner its share of attention on social media with its goods looks and memorable name.
It’s also quite straightforward to make, with equal parts Jamaican Rum, cocchi americano, Aperol, Byrrh (an aperitif wine), and orange bitters. Stir the ingredients together with ice, taking care to achieve some dilution, because of the high alcohol content. Serve in a chilled glass with a slice of orange.
Eclipse cocktail
This pinkish orange beverage is said to be named after the colour of the moon in eclipse. The main ingredients are tequila, cherry liqueur, Aperol, lemon juice and Mezcal. It’s a lighter version of Campari, and it should be served with large ice cubes, which slow down the dilution of the drink.
Mix the ingredients together and give them a good shake, and serve on the rocks for a delicious fruity and bittersweet tipple.
Enrico Palazzo
Named for an Italian opera singer, this cocktail is made with bourbon, Aperol, gentian liqueur and grapefruit bitters. The ingredients should be stirred together with ice, and strained into a pre-chilled glass. The result should be a lightly sparkling cocktail with a distinctive bittersweet flavour.
Lost Plane
This is a simple variation of the popular Paper Plane cocktail, which uses dark rum instead of bourbon whisky. The other ingredients are Aperol, amaro, and lemon juice. It’s best made by combining all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shaking with ice. Serve with a garnish of lemon in a long-stemmed glass to enjoy the rich flavours.
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