When you say Aperitivo, you say Aperol Spritz. In Italy, when the weather is nice, you'll see people hanging out at bars from 5 PM to 7 PM having the Aperitivo. Drinking Prosecco, Crodino but mostly Aperol Spritz. This sparkling bright orange drink can brighten up any day, especially if enjoyed outside!
The Aperol Spritz stands as a timeless cocktail, heralding from the Veneto region of Italy, where it has charmed drinkers for decades. Ideal for sipping on a warm summer evening, the Aperol Spritz is not just a drink but a social ritual, embodying the Italian philosophy of "la dolce vita" – the sweet life.
Whether it's the centerpiece of a casual backyard gathering or a sophisticated addition to a formal dinner party, Aperol Spritz seamlessly adapts to any setting. Its low alcohol content makes it a perfect Aperitivo, stimulating the appetite without overwhelming the senses.
It's sparkling, fresh, lightly bitter, and lightly citrusy. It's the perfect way to start the evening, outside in the nice sunny weather, eating small bites of puff pastry Pizza, Tarallini, and chips.
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What is Aperitivo?
Aperitivo does not have a literal English translation. It's similar to happy hour but it's a whole different concept.
The main "purpose" of Aperitivo is to stimulate hunger before dinner, with drinks and snacks. Every single bar and cafè in Italy can serve Aperitivo, although some are better than others: usually, you pay for the drink (the same price as always) and you'll get free snacks to go with it, like chips and peanuts. Some bars instead will have a fixed price (around 7-10 euro) and you'll also get a huge variety of all-you-can-eat food like pasta salads, pizza slices, sandwiches, and so on.
Amongst young people, it's very common to do the "Aperi-cena" which means aperitivo/dinner, since some bars offer such a huge amount of food you can easily have dinner with less than 10 euros.
What is Aperol Spritz?
Aperol is a very well-known brand of bitter, an alcoholic drink made with herbs.
Spritz, instead, is the name of the cocktail invented around the '20s or '30s in the North of Italy, specifically around Padova and Venice. Spritz is a mix of equal parts of Prosecco, bitter and sparkling water or soda. Aperol is the most common bitter, but Spritz can also be with Campari or Select.
Originally it was used an old-fashioned glass to serve the Spritz, but around 2015 the brand Aperol suggested a red wine glass to serve it and this is how most of the cafès around the world will serve it.
Ingredients
- Aperol: The star of the show, this Italian aperitif is known for its bright orange color and unique bitter-sweet flavor.
- Prosecco: Choose a dry Prosecco for the right balance of sweetness. It adds the necessary sparkle to the cocktail.
- Soda Water: A splash of soda water lightens the drink, adding effervescence without diluting the distinctive flavors.
- Orange Slice: A fresh orange slice not only garnishes the drink but also adds a subtle citrus aroma and taste.
- Ice Cubes: Large cubes are preferred to chill the drink without watering it down too quickly.
Substitutions & Variations
- Campari for Aperol: For a drink with a more pronounced bitter taste, Campari can replace Aperol.
- Cava or Champagne for Prosecco: If Prosecco is not available, other sparkling wines like Cava or Champagne make good substitutes, adjusting the cocktail's sweetness and texture.
- Lemon Slice for Orange Slice: If you prefer a sharper citrus note, a lemon slice can replace the orange garnish.
- Aperol Spritz Royale: Add a dash of Chambord or raspberry liqueur for a fruity twist and a deeper color.
- Cucumber Aperol Spritz: Muddle a few slices of cucumber in the glass before adding the other ingredients for a refreshing, garden-fresh version.
- Spicy Aperol Spritz: Infuse the Aperol with hot peppers for a few days before straining it to add a spicy kick to your spritz.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, Crodino is a non-alcoholic aperitif with a similar flavor to Spritz. Alternatively, replace Aperol with a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif and Prosecco with sparkling water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Opt for a dry (brut) Prosecco to balance the sweetness of the Aperol. It shouldn't overpower the other flavors.
Related Recipes
Like this recipe? Check out also these other Aperitivo recipes to enjoy with your Aperol Spritz:
- Taralli - Italian Aperitivo Snack
- Italian Artichoke Dip
- Puff Pastry Mini pizza
- Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart
- Limoncello Prosecco Drink
- Campari Spritz
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📖 RECIPE
Classic Aperol Spritz
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Ingredients
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- a splash of Club Soda
- 1-2 slices Orange
- Ice
Instructions
- In a large wine glass, add the ice cubes up to almost half glass.
- Add the Prosecco and Aperol to the glass. Mix lightly.
- Finish with a splash of club soda and garnish with orange slices.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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