Aperol Aperitivo 70cl, 11% ABV - Italian Spritz

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Of course, another popular Italian digestivo is grappa (a grape skin distillate). It’s the perfect use for marc, which is left after grapes have been crushed to make wine. In Italy, nothing goes to waste. Since April 2010, Aperol has been the official sponsor of Moto GP, the Grand Prix of motorcycle racing. [4] Aperol was originally created in 1919 by Luigi and Silvio Barbieri [2] after seven years of experimentation. It did not become widely popular until after World War II. [3] It was first produced by the Barbieri company, based in Padua, but is now produced by the Campari Group. Although it tastes and smells much like Campari, Aperol has an alcohol content of 11%—less than half that of Campari. They have the same sugar content, [ citation needed] and Aperol is less bitter in taste. Campari is also much darker in color. Here in Italy we not only enjoy our pre-dinner drinks, but there’s an extra special place in our hearts for after-dinner drinks too. That’s where the digestivo comes in. After all, it’s only natural to want to ‘digest’ that wonderful dinner you’ve eaten. The digestive is usually a herb-based liqueur (although it might also be a more international whisky or brandy). Classic Aperol Spritz recipe: how to make Italy’s most famous drink and create aperitivo, Italian style, at home.

You may be wondering if you need to leave the kids at home for aperitivo. The answer is – no, you can bring them ( babies, toddlers, kids, and teens)! This Venetian aperitivo has followed the same recipe since 1920, combining 30 botanicals to provide a rich, complex flavor. A bitter note arrives courtesy of rhubarb, while juniper adds a fresh, piney undertone. It’s full of fresh flowers and herbs on the palate, and delivers a lasting pink grapefruit finish. At 17.5-percent ABV, it’s slightly stronger than Aperol but still works well in a classic three-two-one mix. For an authentic Venetian garnish, swap in a green olive for the orange slice. Luxardo Aperitivo And to celebrate its 100th birthday four years ago, Aperol officially made it into the Oxford English Dictionary, Aperol is defined as: "A proprietary name for: an orange-coloured Italian aperitif flavoured with gentian, rhubarb, and a variety of herbs and roots." It is served in a large stemmed wine glass and has a signature orange color that makes it easy to recognize: if you are in Italy in the summer, you will easily spot it on outdoor tables, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike! Cinchona may be an unfamiliar to you, but the flavor is more recognizable than you’d think. This tree is native to South America near the Andes mountains, and its bark is a natural source of quinine. It’s been used to make tonic water for centuries and gives the popular mixer its signature bitterness.Aperol is a botanical liqueur that’s been made in Italy for over a hundred years. The bright orange beverage was invented by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri in 1919 in Padua, Italy. It’s technically considered a type of amaro, which is categorized by its bitterness (the word amaro itself translates to bitter). And if you want to get even more granular, Aperol is also an aperitivo. That means that it’s intended to be consumed before a meal as an appetite stimulant. Aperol was created by the Barbieri brothers and launched in 1919 at the Padua International Fair, soon becoming one of Italy's favorite liqueurs, now taking the world by storm. The original recipe has remain unchanged since 1919. No Prosecco. "We like to use traditional white wine from Veneto with Aperol," says Tom Ross from Polpo. "Then top with soda water and garnish with an olive and slice of lemon. You can use Campari instead of Aperol if that's more to your taste."

Aperol is also an incredibly light liqueur and it has an alcohol content of 11%, meaning it is light enough to enjoy on its own, or made into a spritz for a low abv drink option if you're looking to cut down.Gentian root is a botanical commonly used to flavor spirits. At first sip, some may just write it off as bitter. But it’s renowned for its nuance and complexity. It’s bitter, yes, but it’s also earthy, floral, and vegetal. And compared to the other intensely bitter and rich botanicals used in other types of amaro, gentian is generally milder and more palatable.

But are you happy at aperitivo time? For sure! So there’s a definite link there! How To Pronounce AperitivoThe city is the home of the spritz though perhaps (let’s whisper it) it’s not even really Italian in origin. The Veneto region of Italy was under the domination of the Austrian Empire in the early 19 th century and Hapsburg soldiers used to love local wine with a little sparkling water, giving rise to the ‘spritz’ tradition. As late afternoon falls, stopping at a little neighbourhood bar for a little something to eat and drink as you catch up with friends, neighbours, and anyone else who may happen to be there is a quintessentially Italian ritual.

The first Aperol Spritz is said to have been served in Padova, where Aperol was born although Venice is also claiming the paternity of this drink. Controversies aside, what is sure is that Aperol Spritz is from Veneto and makes the most of local wine and bitter, two of the many excellences from the region. We love Aperol so much that we've even added it into our dessert recipes like our Aperol spritz trifle, Aperol upside down cake, Aperol spritz lollies and we've even added Aperol to these mince pies! Cappelletti, referred to by locals as “Il Specialino,'' is made by Antica Erboristeria Cappelletti, a producer established in 1909 from Aldeno in Northern Italy. Unlike any of the other aperitivo bitters on this list, Cappelletti is made from a wine base (Pinot Bianco, Garganega, and Trebbiano grapes), making it drier than most aperitivi. And since it’s made with wine, it’s also the only aperitivo bitter listed that requires refrigeration after opening (similar to a vermouth, or other aromatized and fortified wines). In theory, you could drink Aperol straight up; but if we’re being honest, we wouldn’t recommend it. People unaccustomed to bittersweet liqueurs will find the flavor far too intense to enjoy on its own. And people enthusiastic enough about amaro to drink it neat typically find Aperol to be too sweet. Real aperitivo aficionados will enjoy ‘Select’, the original Venetian spritz additive, with a vibrant red color like an Italian sunset. Rhubarb roots and juniper berries make this liqueur a real treat and although little known outside Venice, it’s been produced since 1920.

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While you’re visiting Italy, you won’t be at the office, but after a busy day exploring, you’ll still need a little something before dinner. I’ve asked friends from around Italy where they like to go for aperitivo. Here are some of our favorite places: Best Aperitivo in Florence