Italian Aperol Spritz is the cocktail of choice in Italy, especially in the summer months. It’s Italy’s favorite cocktail and it’s my favorite as well.
When I am in Italy, I like to have a ‘Spritz’, as the Italians call it, at the end of the day to take the edge off of a long day of sightseeing or wading through crowds at museums. To make the experience even more enjoyable, the Italians always serve a cocktail with a complementary snack on the side, and the snacks are usually delicious. I once asked a bartender the motivation for doing that and he explained that the Italians never drink alcohol on a empty stomach. Very wise!
Italian Aperol Spritz originated from the Veneto region, located in the Northeast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea but it’s origins probably lie in the Austrian Empire, which took over Veneto in the early 19th century. Hapsburg soldiers, local legend has it, would water down the strong local wine with a squirt (spritzen) of sparkling water.
Italian Aperol Spritz can also be made with Campari. I personally prefer Aperol as I find it sweeter in taste.
Saluti!
Italian Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Aperol or Campari
- 2 ounces of Prosecco
- 2 ounces of sparkling water
- 2 ounces of cubed ice
- 1 slice of Orange cut in half
Instructions
- Fill an old fashioned glass or wine glass with the ice first.
- Add the Aperol or Campari.
- Add the Prosecco.
- Add the Sparkling Water.
- Add the Orange Slice.
- Stir well.
- Serve with a snack on the side.
- For a stronger cocktail add another ounce of Aperol to it.
- Saluti!
Leave a Reply