WHAT IS APEROL?

It is a beverage originating the Veneto region of Italy, which today enjoys worldwide fame.

So what is its success due to?

As we said earlier, its origins were in Italy. In 1919 the brothers Silvio and Luigi Barbieri created the drink at their father’s family company, and following World War II it became popular, particularly among younger people in bars in Padua and Venice.

It has an alcohol content of 11 degrees, and its success is due to the peculiar flavour conferred by gentian, cinchona, bitter orange and rhubarb. Those ingredients give it a bitter taste, stimulating the appetite and therefore making it ideal as an aperitif. But it has also made a name for itself because of its use in preparing some cocktails.

It has a unique flavour and a full, velvety texture, a strong orange taste with hints of herbs and wood, with a slightly bitter aftertaste that is very pleasant, leaving behind an orangey taste blended with herbs and a hint of vanilla, making it a fairly smooth liqueur.

Its world famous namesake cocktail is: Aperol Spritz, from the German word “spritzen”, meaning pouring a dash of water into wine. It came about in the 50’s. It is made in a wine glass full of ice with a slice of orange and then mixed with some sparkling wine. The recipe for Aperol Spritz is as follows. It is very easy to make and will surprise your guests:

Ingredients

• Cava or sparkling wine
• Aperol
• A dash of soda water
• A slice of orange

Recipe

1. Fill a glass with plenty of ice.
2. Add some cava/sparkling wine and then some Aperol.
3. Add a dash of soda water.
4. Decorate with a slice of orange.

Service in a wine glass and enjoy!

Aperol Spritz is ideal as an aperitif served with some snacks, the way it is served in the bars of Venice, with their traditional aperitif time, making it a fresh, relaxing, versatile drink that is ideal at any time.