Sip Happens

I have had a white wine spritzer before but had never tried the Aperol Spritz and was inspired by watching Tucci in Italy.

I had it in my head it would be sweet - but it is almost bitter and with lots of ice - really refreshing!

Google tells me Aperol was made 1919 in Padua, Italy, created by two brothers — Luigi and Silvio Barbieri — who wanted a lighter, lower-alcohol aperitif that people could enjoy before meals. The bright orange colour and bittersweet citrus flavour quickly made it a local favourite.

But the Aperol Spritz we know and love today didn’t take off until the 1950s, when the idea of “spritzing” wine with soda water spread through northern Italy. Aperol became the star ingredient — refreshing, bubbly, and totally summer-in-a-glass.

The colour is secret 👀 The exact recipe (and how they get that colour!) is a closely guarded secret — and apparently only a handful of people know it.

The 3-2-1 Guide to the Ultimate Aperol Spritz

3 parts Prosecco (or your fave bubbly) I used Lindauer

2 parts Aperol

1 part soda water

Ice — lots!

Orange slice (or a cheeky Kiwi twist like a slice of feijoa or a sprig of mint)

Method
Fill a big wine glass with ice
Add 3 parts bubbly, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda
Give it a gentle swirl
Garnish with an orange slice
Sip and pretend your in Italy - Ciao