February 10, 2012 | Beverages
As you read this post, I’m still sailing in the Caribbean with friends, likely finding our own spot on a tiny island for our own Happy Hour, hopefully with steel drums and a gorgeous sunset to keep us company. I can’t wait to share it with you when I return, but to rev up your Happy Hour today, I’m happy to bring you this guest post from Barb at Creative Culinary. She’s a fellow Colorado food blogger who launched a bloggers’ networking group here. And she happens to have a boatload of cocktails to offer you in her Happy Hour Friday section of her blog. She knows I take people on culinary trips to Italy, so offered this cocktail up as a nod to all things Italian!
I hope Michele has the time of her life in Italy next spring; she had better be. She might not know this but she’s going for both of us; seems going in spirit is as close as I seem to get! I thought it would be fun to bring a bit of Italy to her blog today; sharing a cocktail that is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands in the Veneto region every day.
The Aperol Spritz is made using Aperol, a brilliant Italian aperitif that includes bitter orange, gentian, rhubarb, cinchona and other spices. It’s similar to Campari, but is much sweeter. The Sprtiz is simply a combination of Aperol, Prosecco and a bit of seltzer served on the rocks in a lowball glass and garnished with a slice of orange.
Aperol (and Campari) are considered bitters and until recently I’ve kept my distance from them. I mean..bitter? But I’m slowing coming round and this particular beverage certainly helped. With Aperol, the bitterness is not really bitter in the way my mind was expecting. It was as if the sweet of the fruit and the tang of the peel were melded together; definitely a complimentary partnership.
This apertivo’ spread to the rest of the country and with it variants of the original Spritz. It’s only in the last decade that the combination of Aperol and Prosecco have become the most popular one. It’s fresh, sparkling, light…and just the perfect evening cocktail.
- 1.5 oz Aperol
- 3 oz Prosecco
- Club Soda
- Orange Slice for garnish
- Place ice cubes in a low ball glass. Add Aperol, then Prosecco, and top with soda. Gently mix and garnish with an orange slice. Enjoy!
Thanks to Barb for this easy cocktail recipe – and be sure to check out her blog!
[...] moment. I’m sure it will change her mind as it has mine. I also hope you’ll go visit Michele’s blog, get to know her a bit and get the recipe for this gorgeous and refreshing drink. You won’t [...]
Not surprising that outside of Italian wines, the only thing I know about Italian liquor is Grappa! Today I learned more about Aperol! Love how refreshing this cocktail looks. Great guest post Barb
Thanks for having me guest post; hope you are having a blast on your trip!
Wonderful! My favorite.
Reminds me of Venice and Vienna.
I want one now!
This drink reminds me of a sunset, a sunset with a buzz. Love t guest post, Barb, and nice to meet your blog, Michele – enjoy your tropical sailing/sun basking
What a gorgeous alcohol, love the fact that there is flavors of rhubarb in it! So happy I stopped by, love your blog! Have a lovely trip:-) Take care, Terra