What it tastes like
Bitter and sweet orange, rhubarb, gentian root, cinchona, gentle herbs. Far less bitter than Campari, sweeter, lighter. The rhubarb note is what people don’t expect.
Drinks at 11% ABV like a fortified wine. The Spritz dilutes it further.
How to drink it
Aperol Spritz: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda, ice, orange slice. Also Aperol Sour, Aperol Cosmopolitan, Aperol Negroni for a softer Negroni.
Skip it neat: too sweet without dilution. Skip it in winter: it really is a summer drink.
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How Aperol became the cocktail of the decade
Aperol launched in 1919 in Padua, made by the Barbieri brothers. It stayed mostly Italian for eighty years. Campari Group acquired the brand in 2003 and started a focused marketing push to position it as a lighter, more accessible alternative to Campari.
The Aperol Spritz launched globally in the 2010s and became the bar drink of the decade. Sales have multiplied many times over.
Aperol vs Campari
Same family (both owned by Campari Group), different products. Campari is 25% ABV, intensely bitter, dark red, built for Negronis. Aperol is 11% ABV, sweeter, orange, built for spritzes. The brands deliberately don’t compete because they don’t overlap.
Best cocktails to make with Aperol
Aperol is the Spritz liqueur. Also brilliant in Aperol Sour, Aperol Cosmopolitan, and lighter Negroni variations.
How it stacks up
How Aperol compares to other Italian aperitivos.
| Aperitivo | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Aperol | Sweet, orange, light, 11% ABV | Aperol Spritz, Aperol Sour |
| Campari | Bitter, herbal, dark red, 25% ABV | Negroni, Boulevardier |
| Select | Halfway between Aperol and Campari | Spritzes, Negroni twists |
| Cynar | Artichoke, less bitter | Sipping, Cynar 70 |
| Lillet Blanc | Wine-based, fruity, lighter | Vesper, French 75 |
Substitutions and swaps
Aperol and Campari are not interchangeable.
Aperol is the soft pick. Campari is the bitter pick.
Don’t sub Aperol at 1:1. Cocktail will be much sweeter and softer. Use 1:1 ratio plus 2 dashes of bitters if you must.
Select is the closest substitute. Suze plus orange juice is a stretch.
Standard recipe: 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda, ice, orange. The 3-2-1 from the brand.
Cut Aperol with 5ml of Campari. The drink keeps its character but adds depth.
You hate sweet aperitifs. Campari is drier.
You’re sipping neat. Aperol needs dilution.
You want serious cocktail bitterness. Aperol is the gentle option.
Where to buy Aperol
Where to buy
Aperol is at every bottle shop and supermarket. Almost always priced fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people ask about this bottle.
What is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian bitter aperitif made in Padua by the Campari Group. It blends bitter and sweet orange, rhubarb, gentian root, and other botanicals, bottled at 11% ABV. Founded in 1919.
Is Aperol bitter?
Mildly. Far less bitter than Campari. The bitterness is balanced by orange and sugar. Most drinkers describe it as sweet with a gentle bitter edge.
What does Aperol taste like?
Bitter and sweet orange, rhubarb, gentian, cinchona, gentle herbs. Far softer than Campari, sweeter than Select, more orange-driven than any of them.
Aperol vs Campari?
Different products entirely. Aperol is 11% ABV, sweet, orange, lighter. Campari is 25% ABV, intensely bitter, herbal, darker. Don’t substitute. Use Aperol for spritzes; Campari for Negronis.
How do you make a proper Aperol Spritz?
Build in a wine glass over ice: 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda water, an orange slice. The 3-2-1 ratio is the brand’s official recipe.
Can you drink Aperol neat?
You can but it isn’t the standard serve. The cocktail format works better. Aperol is built for dilution.
Is Aperol gluten-free?
The brand has stated Aperol is gluten-free; check the latest label if you have severe sensitivities.
What is the best cocktail to make with Aperol?
An Aperol Spritz: 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda water, ice, orange slice in a wine glass. Or an Aperol Sour: 60ml Aperol, 25ml fresh lemon, 15ml simple syrup, optional egg white, shake hard, strain.
