Aperol is a popular Italian apéritif that is most famously known for its inclusion in an Aperol Spritz cocktail.
This alcoholic beverage is bright orange and tastes like blood orange, rhubarb, and bitter herbs.
While Aperol is a tasty beverage, it doesn’t often find its way into homes across the country. You’re more likely to buy an Aperol cocktail at a bar than buy a bottle to use at home.
So, what do you do with that random bottle of Aperol you’ve got in your kitchen cupboard?
Here are 23 easy Aperol cocktails to make for the next barbecue, get-together with friends, or just a regular Tuesday!
1. Classic Aperol Spritz
Of course, we couldn’t start this list without a recipe for a classic Aperol Spritz.
Aperol Spritz is the type of cocktail you drink in summer to make you feel like you’re basking under the Italian sun, thanks to its refreshing and mildly sweet flavor.
This famous cocktail consists of only four ingredients – Aperol, prosecco, club soda, and a slice of orange. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker to make this drink!
2. Aperol Cosmopolitan
A traditional Cosmopolitan cocktail consists of vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice. While this isn’t the most exact replica, you can also make an Aperol Cosmopolitan.
The blood orange coloration of the Aperol is a good replacement for the triple sec and cranberry juice, making for a tangier version of the iconic cocktail.
Make sure to save some of the lime peel to serve as a garnish.
3. Aperol Manhattan
A Manhattan cocktail typically consists of whiskey, bitters, and sweet vermouth. An Aperol Manhattan, on the other hand, is made of Aperol, bourbon, and Montenegro amaro.
While it doesn’t taste exactly like a traditional Manhattan, this is a tasty cocktail that is reminiscent of Little Italy.
We recommend opting for a citrus-flavored bourbon to compliment the Aperol. Garnish with maraschino cherries skewered with a cocktail stick.
4. The Confident Man
If you’re a fan of slightly sour cocktails, you need to try The Confident Man. This isn’t for those with a sweet tooth, because it’s bound to make your lips curl from the sourness.
The Confident Man consists of vodka, grapefruit juice, Aperol, and elderflower liqueur.
The elderflower liqueur might be a rogue ingredient, but it’s an important one, as it works to slightly sweeten the tangy grapefruit juice. Serve on the rocks.
5. Bird Of Paradise
If you’re in the tropical spirit, you need to try this Bird of Paradise cocktail. This is the type of cocktail that will teleport you instantly to an island beach somewhere in the Caribbean.
It consists of Aperol, overproof rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and sugar, making for a very sweet and colorful drink.
Garnish with a pineapple leaf or sliced pineapple to feel like you’ve just ordered the drink at a cocktail bar.
6. Aperol Gin Cocktail
If you’ve got a bottle of gin in the cupboard and you’re bored of regular gin and tonic, you’ll be happy to know that gin goes beautifully with Aperol.
This cocktail is simple and delicious, consisting of gin, Aperol, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and a slice of cucumber.
The key with this cocktail is to muddle the cucumber at the bottom of the glass before you add any liquid. This helps to release the juices inside the cucumber, making for a refreshing flavor.
7. Summerthyme Screwdriver
Everyone needs a Screwdriver in their cocktail kit (sorry). Not only is it a delicious cocktail, but a Summerthyme Screwdriver is ridiculously easy to make and quite difficult to mess up.
This is a bit of an experiment of flavors, so it’s not a cocktail you can expect to order at a bar.
A Summerthyme Screwdriver consists of Aperol, orange juice, vodka, club soda, lemons, orange wheels, and (of course) thyme sprigs.
8. Ten Spot Cocktail
A Ten Spot cocktail is a deliciously bright red and slightly bitter cocktail that is great for those who love the simple things in life.
This cocktail consists of Aperol, gin, grapefruit juice, and lime juice, making for a reddish-pink drink with a muted tangy flavor thanks to the lime juice.
The best part about this cocktail is that you don’t necessarily need a cocktail shaker – simply pour the ingredients into a champagne flute and give it a stir.
9. Paper Plane
If you’ve just finished dinner and you want a little tipple to round off the meal, you should try a Paper Plane.
This cocktail is made up of palette-cleansing ingredients, including bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice.
Despite bourbon being a key ingredient, the flavor isn’t overwhelming, which is why this is a great drink for new drinkers of whiskey. The
10. Strawberry Aperol Spritz
If you love a classic Aperol Spritz, you’re bound to adore this strawberry version. Strawberry Aperol Spritz is the epitome of summer thanks to the inclusion of fresh, ripe strawberries.
Plus, just like an Aperol Spritz, this is an easy cocktail to make with only a handful of ingredients, including strawberries, Aperol, prosecco, and club soda.
You will need a mudder for this recipe to get all the juice out of the strawberries.
11. Aperol And Tequila Sour
As the name suggests, this cocktail is for the lovers of tequila. Blanco tequila works beautifully with Aperol, with the sweetness of the blood orange flavors mingling with the sour tequila.
This cocktail consists of blanco tequila, Aperol, Cointreau, and lime juice. The inclusion of Cointreau helps to sweeten this otherwise bitter cocktail. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.
12. Aperol Halloween Cocktail
If you’re craving an Aperol Spritz in October, it’s time to turn your favorite cocktail into a delicious Halloween treat!
An Aperol Halloween Cocktail consists of Aperol, champagne, orange juice, and club soda poured over crushed ice.
The champagne is sweeter than prosecco (which normally goes in an Aperol Spritz), which is what makes this cocktail taste like a boozy punch. Plus, it’s super orange, which is perfect for Halloween!
13. Grapefruit Spritz
Aperol Spritz is naturally quite a bitter drink, but if you want to enhance the sourness, it’s time to add grapefruit juice to the drink!
A Grapefruit Spritz consists of just three ingredients – Aperol, grapefruit juice, and prosecco – making for a flavorful and tangy cocktail with a bite.
While you can use store-bought grapefruit juice, there’s something really special about using a real grapefruit. Plus, you can use the peel as a garnish!
14. Winter Aperol Spritz
Just because Aperol Spritz is typically drunk in summer doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the iconic cocktail in winter!
This Winter Aperol Spritz consists of Aperol, cranberry juice, prosecco, club soda, an orange wedge, and a sprig of rosemary, making for a flavorful and festive cocktail that tastes like the holiday season (for more Christmas-themed cocktails, checkout our guide to eggnog cocktails).
If you’re serving this at Christmas dinner, go all out with the garnish. You can even add edible glitter to make the fizzy drink sparkle!
15. Aperitini
If you prefer sweet cocktails, check out this Aperitini recipe.
This cocktail consists of Aperol, Campari (a spiced Italian liqueur), silver tequila, prosecco, orange juice, and simple syrup if you have a particular affinity for sweet drinks.
If you’re out of tequila, vodka is a good replacement and works just as well.
And if you don’t have a bottle of Campari (not the most common liqueur to own), you can substitute this for an extra portion of Aperol!
16. Aperol Margarita
A Margarita is a popular classic cocktail consisting of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Why not emphasize the orange by making an Aperol Margarita?
Not only is this a colorful drink, but this is a sweeter and more summery version of the classic Margarita.
This cocktail calls for Aperol, simple syrup, blanco tequila, lime juice, margarita salt, and crushed ice.
While not necessary, the sprinkling of margarita salt on top is a nice savory kick amongst the sweetness and bitterness of the cocktail.
17. Aperol Float
Hey, adults are allowed to enjoy Floats just as much as kids! This certainly isn’t a kid-friendly Float, however.
Aperol Floats are the perfect treat to make for summer, but just be careful with how much you consume, because this is an incredibly moreish cocktail.
All you need to complete this cocktail is three ingredients – Aperol, blood orange soda, and vanilla ice cream. Pour the liquid over a scoop of ice cream in each glass, and voilà!
18. Aperol And Rhubarb Fizz
Rhubarb is an ingredient in Aperol, so why not enhance that flavor with a rhubarb-inspired cocktail?
An Aperol and Rhubarb Fizz is a really easy cocktail to make, consisting of Aperol, rhubarb simple syrup, gin, and tonic water.
The inclusion of gin complements the rhubarb and orange tones of the Aperol beautifully. Plus, this is a colorful sunset-colored cocktail that can be served year-round.
19. Lost Plane
Virtually every cocktail is easy to make – it’s mostly a matter of whether you’ve got the ingredients already in your kitchen.
If you’ve got time and money to spend on niche ingredients, then you need to try this Lost Plane cocktail.
This cocktail consists of Aperol, dark rum, Montenegro amaro, and lemon juice, making for a tart and warming drink. If you’re not a fan of tartness, try not to add too much lemon juice at first.
20. Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
If you’re looking for a cocktail to complement the colors and flavors of fall, this is the cocktail for you.
This pomegranate Aperol Spritz is not only gorgeous, but the fruity pomegranate is an autumnal fruit, so it only makes sense to have this cocktail in fall.
This cocktail consists of Aperol, pomegranate, prosecco, seltzer, and decorated with an orange wedge and pomegranate arils.
21. Aperol Mist
While it might seem unconventional to mix Aperol with beer, your mind will change when you try this cocktail.
An Aperol Mist consists of Aperol, lemon juice, and a wheat beer, making for a deliciously refreshing and moreish summer drink.
It’s especially good for those who don’t like the taste of beer!
22. Rosé Aperol Spritz
Picture this – it’s the height of summer, you’ve got your friends around, and you’re dying for a refreshing beverage. Sounds like you need a Rosé Aperol Spritz.
This take on the classic cocktail replaces prosecco with dry rosé, making for a flavorful and sweeter version of the cocktail.
23. Say Anything
Possibly the most adventurous cocktail on this list is the Say Anything cocktail. This cocktail consists of Aperol, watermelon syrup, and jalapeno-infused tequila.
It’s certainly not for the faint of heart with the spicy tequila, but the watermelon and Aperol help to mute the heat, making for a surprisingly refreshing and highly flavorful cocktail.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Turns out, there are countless cocktails to make with Aperol, and all of them are fairly easy to make. Happy mixing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Mixes Well With Aperol?
Fortunately, Aperol is one of those versatile liqueurs that can be mixed with virtually any alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.
These include:
- Prosecco
- Rum (dark or white)
- Gin
- Vodka
- Tequila (silver or blanco)
- Rosé
- Beer
- Orange juice
- Lemon juice
- Club soda
- Watermelon juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Cranberry juice
- And more!
Can You Get Drunk With Aperol?
The ABV of Aperol is between 9-11%, which isn’t enough to get you drunk – unless you have a low tolerance and drink the whole bottle.
Of course, if you mix with other stronger alcoholic beverages, then you’re bound to get a little tipsy after a while.
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