Aperol is an iconic Italian bittersweet aperitivo liqueur created in 1919 by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri in Padua, Italy. This vibrant orange-hued spirit is crafted from a secret infusion of 16 botanicals including bitter orange essence, gentian, cinchona bark (quinine), and Chinese rhubarb, with many of the herbs and roots sourced from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. The recipe has remained unchanged since its creation over a century ago.

At 11% ABV, Aperol offers a lighter, more approachable alternative to other Italian bitter liqueurs. The flavor profile features pink grapefruit and orange zest with herbal-scented notes, strawberry, and vanilla. On the palate, it is pleasantly bittersweet with zesty orange, delicate bitter herbal undertones, faint woody notes, and salinity. The finish lingers with grapefruit, strawberry, and lightly bitter herbal notes.

Aperol is most famously enjoyed in the Aperol Spritz, the quintessential Italian aperitivo cocktail made with the classic 3-2-1 ratio of prosecco, Aperol, and soda water over ice with an orange slice. It also works beautifully in numerous other cocktails where its balanced sweetness and mild bitterness complement rather than overpower other ingredients.