Aperol
Lighter Italian aperitivo — bittersweet orange with a milder bite than Campari.
Aperol is a bright orange Italian bitter liqueur — less alcoholic (11% ABV), less bitter, and sweeter than Campari. The flavor is bittersweet orange with gentle rhubarb and herbal notes. In a Spritz (Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda), Aperol has become the defining cocktail of Italian summer hospitality; in a Paper Plane or Naked & Famous, it anchors equal-parts modern classics. Aperol and Campari are made by the same company today (Campari Group), but each occupies a distinct lane.
History
Created in 1919 in Padua by the Barbieri brothers. Sold to Campari Group in 2003; the global Spritz marketing campaign of the 2010s made it a household name outside Italy.
Common uses
Aperol Spritz, Paper Plane, Naked & Famous.
Cocktails that use Aperol
- Paper Plane — Equal-parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice — perfectly balanced
- Naked & Famous — Equal parts mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, and lime — bold and balanced
- Aperol Spritz — Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda — Italy's afternoon ritual
Substitutes
- Campari — More bitter and alcoholic — will dominate the drink.