FARGO 鈥� The heat this summer reminds me of our visit to Rome last year at the height of an epic heat wave that was ripping through Europe. I have fond memories of almost melting into a puddle atop the Colosseum and bravely telling my husband and son to 鈥済o on without me鈥� as I sneaked off to find some shade and, hopefully, something cool to sip on.
Everywhere we went in Italy, we saw beautiful people, eating beautiful food, in beautiful places, with beautiful drinks. In Rome, especially, we kept seeing the same drink, over and over: Glass after glass filled with a glamorous liquid sunset, made to look even more tantalizing with a floating slice of fresh orange鈥� and ice. Lots of ice.
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Instinctively, I knew that this must be the famous Aperol Spritz cocktail 鈥� the summer drink of Rome and Italy. Featuring Aperol liqueur, prosecco and club soda, this sun-kissed cocktail called to me like a siren song, luring me in with the promise of refreshment that would cool me down and possibly even dress me up, or at least keep me from appearing too wilted.
One sip and I knew I would (eventually) make it back to the Colosseum without melting. Two sips and I knew I had a new favorite drink for summer.
Aperol is a bitter Italian aperitivo similar in style to Campari but with less than half its alcohol content, making it ideal for a summer 鈥渟ipping鈥� cocktail. An aperitivo, or aperitif, is a liqueur, often with bitter notes, that is served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Vibrant and fiery in color, Aperol is a blend of flavors that include rhubarb, bitter herbs and citrus, especially orange. Its high sugar content lends a lovely touch of sweetness to counter the bitterness, which is common in Italian aperitivos and believed to help promote good digestion.
A traditional Aperol Spritz cocktail contains two parts Aperol to three parts prosecco if preparing a batch for a party, or 2 ounces Aperol and 3 ounces prosecco per drink. This is a cocktail match made in heaven.
Prosecco is a bubbly, unpretentious and affordable Italian sparkling wine that goes well with everything and, like Aperol, is suited for sipping. A splash of soda water and a slice of orange are all that鈥檚 left before you鈥檙e on your way to the most fashionable, and delicious, summer sipping around.
For another flavor twist, try my Aperol Spritz Old-Fashioned. This big-batch cocktail recipe combines my two favorite cocktails by adding bourbon, maraschino cherries and cherry syrup to the Aperol Spritz recipe.
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Before adding any liquor, fill the bottom of a large pitcher with maraschino cherries and orange slices, and use a muddler or wooden spoon to mash them together. Then, add the Aperol, bourbon and prosecco, and serve on the rocks with more cherries and orange slices.
While it may be too hot to do much cooking these days, it is the perfect time to cool down, Italian style.
So, find a shady spot, sip away and enjoy la dolce vita.
Classic Aperol Spritz
Makes: 1 cocktail
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 1 orange slice, cut in half
- Splash of club soda
Directions: Fill a wine glass 戮 full with ice. Add the Aperol and prosecco and stir to combine. Place the orange slices inside the glass and finish with a splash of soda. Sip and enjoy.
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Sarah鈥檚 Aperol Spritz Old-Fashioned
Serves: 6 to 8
Ingredients:
- 10 maraschino cherries, plus 2 additional for each glass
- 4 orange slices, plus an additional half slice for each glass
- 1 teaspoon cherry syrup for each glass
- 6 ounces Aperol liqueur
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 1 bottle (750 ml) prosecco
- Ice cubes
- Club soda
Directions: Place 10 cherries and 4 orange slices at the bottom of a large pitcher. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to mash the cherries and orange together until the cherries are broken.
Add the Aperol, bourbon and prosecco and stir to combine.
To serve: Place 2 cherries and half an orange slice at the bottom of each glass and mash them together until the cherries are broken. Fill each glass with ice, then add a drizzle of cherry juice over the cubes.
Pour the Aperol mixture into each glass and finish with a splash of club soda. Serve and enjoy.
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