Lush Guide to Aperol

The Aperol Spritz has taken the world by storm, but what is Aperol exactly? It’s an Italian liqueur that is on everyone’s lips and one of three ingredients in what might be the most popular cocktail in the world!

Recognizable by its bright orange colour, the classic Aperol Spritz cannot be missed. It’s seen everywhere, at every bar, every restaurant, especially on a hot day. It’s so easy to make and so easy to drink. It’s also a gorgeous color and most importantly it tastes great. So let’s explore what makes it so great. (We’ll talk about the garnish later!)

What is Aperol

The original makers of Aperol were Silvio Barbieri and his brother Luigi in Northern Italy and in 1919, they launched this new spirit onto the world. The word itself, Aperol, come from word apéro which is the French word for aperitif!It became all the rage after the war, but in recent years, the Aperol Spritzes became the cocktail of choice after the Gruppo Campari bought it and heavily marketed it and its favorite cocktail.

Although it is slightly bitter, the spirit that is Aperol is technically a liqueur, not an Italian Amaro. It is slightly confusing as it tastes bitter. Like a liqueur, Aperol has added sugar so I like to think of it as a bitter liqueur. It is equally enjoyable being drunk in all different ways, neat or in a spritz or just with club soda or soda water. It is usually served as an aperitif, or a pre-dinner drink to stimulate your appetite!

How you garnish Aperol

You can use orange peel or an orange twist to bring out the bitter orange notes. Or act like a Venetian and always garnish it with a green olive!

How does Aperol taste

The recipe is secret, so don’t ask them. It seems to be the perfect balance between bitter and sweet, thanks to its infusion of herbs, such as gentian and cinchona bark, and sweetness from rhubarb and oranges, among other ingredients.

• Color: Reddish Orange
• Nose: Sugary Oranges
• Taste: Sweet orange with a bitter tinge
• Finish: The slight bitterness stays with you
• Alcohol: 11% – thus, the Spritz has become one of the most popular Low-ABV cocktails.

Why Lush Life loves it

As the Aperol Spritz is one of the easiest and prettiest cocktails to make, it wows your guests. Just popping open the bottle of Prosecco makes it a party, so I think it’s a great bottle to have in your liqueur cabinet. Also as it is so low ABV, it’s a work night cocktail as well!

Top Tip(ple)🍸: If you love tonic, try the Aperol Tonic as well.

Disclaimer: Some of these posts contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means that I may receive compensation if you click on these links and buy something, but, don’t worry, it won’t cost you a dime!

Where you can buy Aperol

Cocktails made with Aperol

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
• Lush Guide to Jägermeister – more than just J-bombs!
• Lush Guide to Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin – Tanqueray makes all sorts of different gins – this one is a blackberry lover’s dream
• Lush Guide to Black Cow Vodka – Actually made out of cheese!
• Lush Guide to Daddy Rack Tennessee Straight Whiskey – Discover the difference that being made in Tennessee makes!
• Lush Guide to Italicus – Rosolio di Bergamatto – the wunderkind spirit that takes the humble bergamot and makes magic
• Lush Guide to Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur – a wonderful addition to the Irish Cream category

Let me know what you think of Aperol by tagging me @alushlifemanual on instagram

PIN THIS FOR LATER