Aperol is the bright orange Italian liqueur behind the Aperol Spritz, and it is every bit as delightful on its own as it is in the glass. Here is everything you need to know about what it is, how it tastes, and why I adore it!
What is Aperol
What is Aperol
Aperol is a bittersweet Italian liqueur that is served as an aperitivo, a light pre-dinner drink meant to wake up your appetite. Brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri created it in Padua and introduced it at the Padua International Fair in 1919. The name comes from apéro, the French word for aperitif, which Silvio discovered on a trip to France.
Aperol found its biggest fame in the Aperol Spritz, which began appearing in the 1950s. The real boom came after Gruppo Campari bought the brand in 2003 and championed the spritz around the world.
Is Aperol a wine or a spirit?
Aperol is a liqueur, so it is not wine. It is made from an infusion of herbs, roots, and citrus, and like any liqueur it has added sugar, so I like to think of it as a bitter liqueur. That little touch of sweetness is what makes it so easy to love.
Can you drink Aperol neat?
Yes! Aperol is lovely sipped straight over ice with a slice of orange, and it is just as happy with a splash of club soda or soda water.
How does Aperol taste
The recipe is a closely guarded secret, so don’t ask! What I can tell you is that it strikes a lovely balance between bitter and sweet. Herbs like gentian and cinchona bark bring the gentle bitterness, while rhubarb and oranges bring the sweetness, along with other botanicals.
- Color: Reddish orange
- Nose: Sugary oranges
- Taste: Sweet orange with a bitter tinge
- Finish: The slight bitterness stays with you
- Alcohol: 11% ABV (22 proof). An Aperol Spritz lands at about 9%, which is why it has become one of the most popular low-ABV cocktails.
An orange peel or an orange twist brings out the bitter orange notes. Or act like a Venetian and garnish it with a green olive!
Top Tip(ple)🍸: If you love tonic, try the Aperol Tonic as well.
Aperol vs Campari
Aperol and Campari are both Italian aperitivos, and they come from the same company, Gruppo Campari. Aperol is orange, sweeter, and gentle in its bitterness, at 11% ABV. Campari is a deep red, more bitter, and noticeably stronger, at roughly 20 to 28% ABV depending on where it is sold. If you are new to bitter drinks, Aperol is a wonderful place to start, and when you are ready for more bite, a Campari Spritz is a lovely next step.
Other spritzes to love
If you adore the Aperol Spritz, try the Select Aperitivo Spritz from Venice. The Hugo Spritz from South Tyrol in northern Italy swaps in elderflower and fresh mint for a floral spritz with less bitterness.
Why Lush Life loves it
The Aperol Spritz is one of the easiest and prettiest cocktails to make, and it wows your guests every time. Just popping open a bottle of Prosecco makes it a party, so a bottle of Aperol is a joy to keep in your liqueur cabinet. And since it is so low in alcohol, it is a sweet work night cocktail as well!
More Lush Guides to Liquor!
Want to know more about the spirits that go into your cocktails? Check out my Lush Guides to Liquor!
- Lush Guide to Grenadine – the syrup that’s in almost all your favorite cocktails
- Lush Guide to Avallen – the new calvados that is so fabulous in cocktails
- Lush Guide to Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky – the premier Indian whisky
- Lush Guide to Starward Left-Field Whisky – Australia’s whisky that is fantastic in cocktails