Aperol Spritz Per Favore
Posted by Pam - Merchant of Prato on May 31st 2025
Photo by Julia Solonina on Unsplash
If you have been to Italy in the Summertime you can’t miss the vibrant orange drink everyone is sipping in all the cafes. That refreshing looking drink is an Aperol Spritz!
The Aperol Spritz is a quintessential Italian cocktail, particularly popular during the summer months as a refreshing aperitivo though people, especially tourists, drink it year round! It's a vibrant orange drink made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, often garnished with an orange slice. It is truly scrumptious!
The concept of the Spritz originated in the 1800’s when the Austro-Hungarian Empire owned the Veneto region of Italy. When the Austro-Hungarian soldiers first tasted the bold Italian wines, they found them too strong and added a "spritz" (German for "splash") of water to the Italian wines to make them lighter and more enjoyable to their palate. As time went on, wine became prosecco, and Italians started to enhance the Spritz with fortified wines, and then liquors like Amari. Liquors like Amari are known for their bittersweet, herbal, and often spicy flavors. They are made with a variety of botanicals, including herbs, spices, roots, and rinds, and can range in alcohol content and flavor profiles.
In 1919, brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri of Padua, Italy created their own Amari. Their father owned a liquor company and the brothers spent seven years experimenting with different botanical ingredients to craft their unique drink - Aperol. The name Aperol derives from the French word "aperitif," defined as a pre-meal drink. Aperol is an infusion of bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, quinine and gentian alongside many other herbs and roots, though the exact recipe is a highly guarded secret.
During the 1950s, Veneto was at the premier destination for fashion and gastronomic delicacies. The Barbieri brothers embarked on a massive marketing campaign to promote their Aperol. And with the ever growing popularity of the liquor, the brothers created a cocktail combining the idea of the Spritz with their Aperol liquor. The Aperol Spritz was born! The drink became the choice drink for Italians and vacationing Europeans and Americans!
In 2003, the Campari Group purchased Aperol and expanded Aperol's global presence, particularly with the promotion of the popular Aperol Spritz cocktail. The Aperol Spritz is has become a global phenomenon with bars & restaurants round the world serving this delicious cocktail. The Aperol Spritz evokes the Italian lifestyle whether you are in Italy or any place in the world
APEROL SPRITZ RECEIPE
The classic Aperol Spritz recipe follows a ratio of 3-2-1, which means you will need 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water with an orange slice for garnish served over ice in a wine glass.
You will want a substantial wine glass for this drink. The ideal glass is a large wine glass, also known as a tulip glass, allowing for ample ice, bubbles, and an orange slice.
So, the next time you are in Italy, head to a delightful outdoor café with a wonderous view, order an Aperol Spritz and enjoy LA DOLCE VITA!
P.S. Do beware if your child orders a “Sprite”. My teenage daughter ordered a “Sprite” and the waiter brough her out a “Aperol Spritz”.
VISTING THE CAMPARI FACTORY
While visiting Italy, embark upon a tour of the Campari Factory. Located in Milan, Italy