Because Contratto also claims a vineyard and winery, travelers have the opportunity to try the brand at the source by booking a day tour. But for those looking to find Contratto Bitter in the wild, the Atrium Bar at Four Seasons Florence, one of the “meccas for the Italian aperitivo,” according to The Champagne Bar's Longo, is one destination to put on your list. Another is Caffe Mulassano in Turin where The Connaught’s Bargiani claims the modern Italian aperitivo was born. “It truly is a precious location,” says Bargiani, as it's also "where they invented the tramezzino [sandwich] to serve with their homemade vermouth liqueur.” The most popular aperitivo italiano is undoubtedly Aperol Spritz. Ever been to Italy and seen those ubiquitous orange drinks on tables in Italian squares? Yes, that’s Aperol Spritz. Aperol is an Italian bitter with a secret recipe that includes gentian (a bright blue flower widespread in the Italian Alps), rhubarb, and cinchona. It’s the ideal blend of bitter-sweet flavors.

There are two different ways to make an Aperol spritz. There’s the 3:2:1 method and 1:1 method – this refers to the Prosecco to Aperol ratio. 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 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. It’s just a splash, but don’t be tempted to skimp on the soda in your Aperol Spritz as it works wonders for the finished drink.“By adding soda water, we replace the carbonation that gets lost whilst pouring Prosecco and stirring the drink.

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 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. Homebrewing is a widespread hobby and artform and every Italian family worth its salt will have a family member who’s an expert at producing some kind of plant-based digestivo. This deserves a whole article on its own, so we’ll save it for another day, but I’ll just mention in passing that some of the most popular Italian after-dinner drinks are amari (literally ‘bitters’) like Amaro Del Capo, Montenegro, and Braulio (a herbal liqueur from the Valtellina region in Italy).

Aperol brings people together and is the perfect drink to start the evening, all year round. The drink matches perfectly with food: the Aperitivo ritual born in Veneto sees the Aperol Spritz served with some traditional light bites called ''cicchetti', small dishes that usually include tiny sandwiches, olives and small portions of local dishes. Try it at home! Add ice cubes to a large stemmed wine glass, then pour Aperol, add prosecco and, finally, the soda. Stir well and serve immediately. Fun, delicious Spritz variations to try

Review and Tasting

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! Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb and cinchona, among other ingredients. It has a vibrant red hue. Its name comes from apero, a French slang word for apéritif. [1] History [ edit ]

Originating from Italy in 1919, Aperol is an aperitif commonly enjoyed before a meal and particularly when the weather is warm, enjoyed as a spritz. The name Aperol comes from the word origin apero which is a French slang word for aperitif. But are you happy at aperitivo time? For sure! So there’s a definite link there! How To Pronounce Aperitivo Of course, there are plenty of ‘spritz’ variations. You can substitute Aperol with another Italian favorite, Campari, also made with herbs and fruit, dark red, and more alcoholic. The drink, of course, is Aperol Spritz, and the company is lively and welcoming as you all raise a glass to the day’s small triumphs. The easiest way to introduce yourself to Aperol is drinking it in spritz form, naturally. The soda water and Prosecco offset the bitterness of Aperol just enough so it goes down more easily while not hiding its unique flavor profile. The key is to nail the right ratio between the three ingredients. We might be biased, but we think our recipe is spot on.

About MLI

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. The Barbieri Company, which makes Aperol, was established in 1891 by Giuseppe Barbieri in Padua, Italy to produce and market a wide range of liqueurs. The company's most famous and enduring product, Aperol, was especially created in 1919 by his two sons, Luigi and Silvio for Padua International Fair, a large exhibition attracting international visitors held in their hometown. 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 Aperitivo hour, though, is a time when family and friends gather to enjoy small bites and appetite-stimulating, low-ABV tipples before dinner—typically from 6 to 8 p.m.—as a way to unwind from the day. At the center of the occasion are these aperitivo bitters, which are native to Italy and typically radiate an eye-catching sunset hue (think Campari and Aperol) — synonymous with the time at which they’re often consumed. Cities across America have eagerly embraced this slow, mindful drinking occasion with bars such as New York’s award-winning Dante and Seattle’s intimate Barnacle recreating the cultural phenomenon stateside.

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. Aperol sold in Germany had an alcohol content of 15% for some time to avoid German container deposit legislation regulations, but since 2021, it has been sold with an alcohol content of 11%. 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.While Prosecco and soda water is the classic mix, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy Aperol. We spoke to different mixologists to find their perfect alternative Aperol Spritz recipe: