Summer cocktail season is upon us….and an Aperol Spritz is the most perfect drink for the warm-weather days ahead!
Aperol is an orange Italian liqueur. It’s rich…a little bitter…a tad bit fruity…and slightly sweet. While we all have our typical go-to’s, we are loving this beverage options to beat the heat!
Using only three simple ingredients, a spritzer with Aperol as it’s base is so simple and refreshing. Many variations have popped up recently garnering the attention of both old and new tasters, alike.
While some have kept this Italian beverage clean and simple, let’s dive into a few variations that are gaining some traction as well.
*APEROL PUNCH
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Aperol
2 ½ cups gin
1 ¼ cup grapefruit juice
½ cup orange juice
½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 blood orange, juiced
rosemary sprigs for garnish
sparkling white wine
DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and blend to combine. Fill remaining portion of pitcher with ice and serve at will.
*THE SPRITZ SLUSHIE
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Aperol
1 cup fresh orange juice, from about 2 to 3 oranges
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, from 1 to 2 lemons
1 bottle Prosecco, or other sparkling wine, divided
1 orange, sliced, for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Blend Aperol, OJ, Lemon Juice, and 1/2 of prosecco in given pitcher or serving container. Upon serving, top with the remaining 1/2 Prosecco and garnish with orange slices.
*ROSE BLACKBERRY SPRITZER
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ ounces Rosé Aperitivo
½ ounce gin
½ ounce lemon juice
blackberry soda
fresh blackberries, for garnish (optional)
DIRECTIONS: Shake all ingredients except the blackberry soda in a cocktail shaker then strain mixture into a wine glass over ice. Last, time to top with blackberry soda and garnish with berries if using!
