I discovered a new cocktail when Charlotte and I were in Italy: Aperol Spritz. I'd never heard of Aperol until we were in Europe, but it's the most popular liquor you've never heard of.
Aperol is an Italian aperitif that's made by the same company that produces Campari (yeah, you've seen their café umbrellas in about every foreign movie since Audrey Hepburn rode on the back of Gregory Peck's Vespa in Roman Holiday).
It's an aromatic dry liquor with a taste of orange (think peel - not juice) that's made from bitter orange, rhubarb and cinchona (quinine). Sound awful? Nahhhhh, but it's not something you'd want to drink straight-up and the Italians don't. The Italians mix a Spritz.
An Italian Aperol Spritz is a dry, orange-mixed drink made with Prosecco (extra-dry Italian sparkling wine,) Aperol and a dash of Club Soda. The result is a cocktail that's light on the alcohol (only 11%) and full of flavor. The locals savor it in a tall glass of ice.
If you like your cocktails light, dry and not so strong, they take you from "Fun" to "F*** Dinner" in one drink, then try an Aperol Spritz. You may not speak Italian, but you can sure drink that way.
Only 3 ingredients for the Perfect Aperol Spritz: Prosecco (we like "Hi!" Prosecco that's inexpensive, delicious and recommended by our friends at Goody Goody Liquors), Aperol and Club Soda.
Pour into a tall glass of ice:
3 parts Prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 part Club Soda
Garnish with an orange slice
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