Let’s take a sensory trip to the Italian coast with the delightful Aperol, a cocktail beloved for its bittersweet profile and bright orange hue. First crafted in 1919 by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, it quickly became a favorite across the globe, particularly as the star of the classic Aperol Spritz. However, there are many inventive ways to savor this unique spirit beyond the Spritz.

Cocktail Recipes

1. Paper Plane

   • Ingredients:
     • 3/4 oz bourbon
     • 3/4 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
     • 3/4 oz lemon juice
   • Directions: Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

2. Apparent Sour

   • Ingredients:
     • 2 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz Elderflower liqueur
     • 3/4 oz lime juice
   • Directions: Combine in a shaker with ice, shake, and pour into a glass.

3. 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz

   • Ingredients:
     • 3 oz Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C.
     • 2 oz Aperol
     • 1 oz soda water
     • 1 slice of orange
   • Directions: Combine all ingredients over ice in a wine glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

4. Contessa

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 part London Dry Gin
     • 1 part Aperol
     • 1 part Cocchi Americano
     • Orange rind
   • Directions: Mix with ice in a shaker and strain into a glass filled with ice, express orange rind over the top.

5. Naked and Famous

   • Ingredients:
     • 3/4 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz mezcal
     • 3/4 oz yellow Chartreuse
     • 3/4 oz lime juice
   • Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled, then pour into a coupe glass.

6. Love Gun

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 sprig tarragon
     • 1/4 cup Staple Gin
     • 2 tbsp fresh blood orange juice
     • 2 tbsp Aperol
     • 1 tbsp simple syrup
     • 4 tbsp pink champagne
   • Directions: Muddle tarragon, add other ingredients apart from champagne, shake with ice, and strain into a glass before topping with champagne.

7. Unusual Negroni

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 oz dry gin
     • 1 oz Lillet Blanc
     • 1 oz Aperol
     • Orange rind
   • Directions: In a rocks glass filled with ice, stir the ingredients together and garnish with the orange rind.

8. Icelandic Lady

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 oz Reyka Vodka
     • 1/2 oz Aperol
     • 1/2 oz honey syrup
     • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
     • Champagne or Prosecco to top
   • Directions: Shake all ingredients and serve in a flute, topping with champagne.

9. Milady’s Spritz

   • Ingredients:
     • 2 oz Lambrusco
     • 1 1/2 oz Aperol
     • 1/2 oz Santoni Amaro
     • 1 oz club soda
     • Blood orange slice
   • Directions: Combine ingredients in a glass and stir gently.

10. Gentleman Caller

    • Ingredients:
      • 1 oz Dorothy Parker Gin
      • 1 oz Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
      • 1/2 oz Aperol
      • 1/2 oz Génépy
      • Lemon Twist
    • Directions: Stir with ice and serve in a chilled glass.

11. Spice, Girl

    • Ingredients:
      • 1 1/2 oz Montelobos Espadin Mezcal
      • 3/4 oz Ancho Reyes
      • 1/2 oz Foro Amaro
      • 1/4 oz Aperol
      • 1/4 oz Raspberry Oleo Syrup
      • 3 dashes Blood Orange Tincture
    • Directions: Mix ingredients in a double rocks glass with ice and stir, then garnish.

Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing evening at home or hosting a lively gathering, these versatile Aperol cocktails promise to transport your taste buds straight to the sunny shores of Italy. Cheers!