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After a long day at work, a good quality drink can help you relax. To that end, you may want to try Aperol (if you haven’t already).

There are myriad fans attesting to the exceptional taste of this liquor. It not only has a distinct and vibrant color to catch your attention, but it also has a zesty flavor.

The following post will reveal the qualities of this liquor as well as Aperol prices in depth.

What is Aperol?

Recently there was a massive increase in the popularity of Aperol, with the Aperol Spritz earning the “drink of summer” title.

People who tried this beverage were so blown away by its distinct taste that many restaurants across America decided to feature this liquor on their menus.

This unabating fame has compelled consumers to question what exactly Aperol is and what the main ingredients in it are. Aperol belongs to the category of apéritif, but it has an Italian origin.

Experts use herbs like gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, along with several different ingredients to craft this distinctive liquor. It derives its name from apero, a slang word common in Italy for aperitivo.

What is Aperitif?

It is a common practice for people in European countries to consume a small amount of a unique alcoholic beverage called an aperitif before their meal. In addition to having a refreshing taste, an aperitif helps stimulate hunger, especially at parties and gatherings.

Several alcoholic beverages, including liquors, fortified wines, and Aperol, belong to the category of an aperitif. Although there is no restriction regarding the time of consuming Aperol, experts argue that it delivers the best results when you have a little bit before your meals.

What Makes Aperol Different?

Although Aperol belongs in the aperitif variety, consumers value it more than similar beverages because of its primary ingredients.

Aperol had its inception in 1919 using a carefully crafted recipe. The results were so favorable that the company decided to follow the same recipe every year and kept it a secret from competitors so no one could copy this unique product.

The primary ingredients which differentiate Aperol from other liquors are an assortment of roots and fresh herbs such as bitter-sweet oranges and rhubarb.

History and Origin of Aperol

The Barbieri company in Padua, was the pioneer behind the introduction of Aperol. This company belonged to two brothers, namely Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, who invested seven years performing ample research and developing this product.

After perfecting the formula and fulfilling all standards, the two brothers decided to present the public with Aperol. They selected a trade fair held in Padua, Italy, as the first event for their product’s launch.

Although Aperol originated in 1919 owing to the efforts of Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, it received international fame and recognition after World War 2 when trade activities regained momentum.

Later the Campari Group acquired control of Aperol in 2003 and focussed all its efforts on launching a widespread media campaign to further Aperol’s popularity.

Now Aperol is a favored alcoholic beverage in bars from Italy to Portland.

How Is Aperol Different from Campari?

Aperol and Campari have a similar taste and smell, but true connoisseurs will be able to notice the subtle variations between the two products.

Consumers often mistake the two drinks for being the same because they belong to the same aperitif category, are produced in Italy, and come in transparent slender glass bottles.

However, the main differences include the following.

Alcohol Content

The alcoholic content in Aperol is 11%, while Campari has more than twice the amount of alcohol. It can have from 20.5–to 28.5% alcohol by volume based on the region where it is available.

Sugar Content

Moreover, the amount of sugar in Aperol and Campari is slightly different. Aperol tastes sweeter than Campari, which has a prominent bitterness in its taste because experts incorporate it in cocktails like Negroni and Boulevardier, which have a more potent flavor profile.

Color

Campari also has a much darker hue than Aperol. Aperol has a vibrant orange color, while Campari is a dark red.

What are the Variations in Aperol?

In the 1950s, the company introduced a variation to Aperol called the Aperol Spritz to the public in Italy. The Spritz was an aperitif cocktail produced after mixing Prosecco and Aperol in the ratio of 3:2 with a tiny bit of soda water.

The consumers typically enjoyed this cocktail in a tall glass with ice cubes and some orange slices for a stimulating effect.

This unique variation of Aperol quickly became a consumer favorite in Northeastern Italy. Now it is a weekly custom for many Italians to meet with friends every week and enjoy a glass of Aperol Spritz. Another variation is the Aperol Sour.

How to Drink Aperol?

Unlike some other alcoholic beverages, you can incorporate Aperol into several different recipes for a wide selection of appealing drinks.

Since it has a zesty flavor that is sweet and mildly bitter, it pairs ideally with many forms of liquor such as tequila, bourbon, and gin.

Similarly, the Aperol Spritz is also a good option for pairing with other ingredients to concoct a drink perfect for summer days.

Many cocktails using Aperol are also ideal for drinking during cooler days. Read below to learn how you can best enjoy Aperol cocktails.

Bitter-sweet Symphony

Ingredients

3⁄4 oz. Punt e Mes

1 ½ oz. London dry gin

3⁄4 oz. Aperol

1 generous twist of lemon

Method to Perform

Take a mixing glass and add all the ingredients except the lemon twist. Mix the ingredients well and put in some ice as well. Pass the concoction through a strain into a cold cocktail glass. Embellish the cocktail with the lemon twist.

Bird Of Paradise

Ingredients

1/2 oz. lime juice freshly squeezed

1 oz. overproof rum

1/2 cup white sugar

1 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. Aperol

1 pineapple leaf (for decoration)

Method to Perform

Add the white sugar to 1/4 cup of water in a jar and tightly cover. Shake the container until the sugar dissolves completely, forming a clear solution.

Pour in the rest of the ingredients, including rum, Aperol, lime juice, pineapple juice, and 1/4 oz. of the sweet syrup in a shaker, and add plenty of ice.

Cover the cocktail shaker and shake energetically for 30 seconds to mix all the ingredients. Use a sieve to pour the drink into a glass full of crushed ice and decorate with a pineapple leaf.

Raspberry and Aperol Floats

Ingredients

2 (12-ounce) cans of club soda

1 1/3 cups raspberries (roughly equals 6 oz.)

1/4 cup white sugar

1 pint of rich vanilla ice cream

1/4 cup Aperol (add more if needed)

1 twig of thyme

Method to Perform

Take a small saucepan and boil sugar and thyme in 1/4 cup of water. Stir the ingredients constantly to prevent the sugar from sticking to the pan. Stirring also makes the sugar dissolve faster.

Once the sugar dissolves, remove the saucepan from the stove and cover it. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes so that it thickens slightly.

Take out the sprig of thyme and allow the syrup to cool. Then mix in 1/4 cup Aperol. Add an equal amount of syrup and raspberries to 4 tall glasses and gently shake to form an appealing emulsion.

Top up each glass with ice cream and club soda. You can also add more Aperol if you want a stronger taste.

Is Aperol Gluten-free?

This is a question that consumers frequently ask before purchasing any alcoholic beverage. Recently several allergies have sprung up, and many people suffer from gluten intolerance, so they have to carefully choose what they eat or drink.

The company claims that Aperol is a form of fortified wine and wine is usually free of gluten. Additionally, although no one knows the exact recipe that experts use to craft this unique beverage, it contains herbs like rhubarb and fruits like oranges as the primary ingredients making it safe for people with gluten allergies.

Since experts have taken great care to ensure that Aperol is free of gluten, it explains why Aperol prices may be a tad bit higher than others.

Is Aperol Vegan?

Another popular question is whether Aperol is suitable for vegans. Recently there has been an increase in awareness regarding the horrors that animals go through at farms to supply products for consumers and the health hazards associated with excessive consumption of animal products.

This has motivated many people to switch to vegan-friendly alternatives.

Hence, it will be pleasing for vegans to know that Aperol does not contain dairy products like eggs, milk, and cheese, making it vegan friendly.