A Liquid History of Aperol

Origin: when Spritz became a hitz!

The idea of Spritz originated around northern Italy in the 19^th century, where it’s said the neighbouring Austrians found the Italian wines of Veneto too strong so added a spritz or splash of water.

Over time, the Spritz evolved as a pre-dinner aperitif now with the splash of water replaced by a sparkling wine (usually Prosecco) and with a further addition of a bitter liquor such as Select, Campari or Cynar to name a few. As this drink evolved, the core ingredients were sometimes supplemented by a slice of (preferably blood) orange, soda, lots of ice and even an olive occasionally if that’s your thing (it’s certainly not ours).

The Sunrise of Aperol

Forget your Spritz with Campari – too bittersweet and who wants clove as a flavour in your drink? Don’t bother with Select – too bitter. And don’t even start with Cynar unless you fancy a mouthful of herb garden.

No we need the less bitter and arguably the best-known spritz, especially in the UK and in our household: the Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a vibrant orange liqueur which was created in 1919 in Padua (just west of Venice) by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbier who had inherited a liquor business from their father. The recipe is a secret, although apparently it contains a mixture of orange, rhubarb, herbs and roots (reportedly Gentian and Cinchona both of which are used medicinally to aid digestion).

No we need the less bitter and arguably the best-known spritz, especially in the UK and in our household: the Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a vibrant orange liqueur which was created in 1919 in Padua (just west of Venice) by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbier who had inherited a liquor business from their father. The recipe is a secret, although apparently it contains a mixture of orange, rhubarb, herbs and roots (reportedly Gentian and Cinchona both of which are used medicinally to aid digestion).

Not only does it taste great, if you’re out about during a hot Italian afternoon, an Aeprol spritz is more refreshing than a glass of wine and is the ideal thirst quencher. It also tastes amazing on a cold and wet afternoon in the UK too!

From Venice…

We first these gorgeous cocktails on our honeymoon in Venice in 2013. As we walked around the city, we’d see locals from shop owners, fishermen and of course gondoliers, having a cheeky glass of this orange drink – as early as 10am! Aesthetically, they just draw the eye. Just as the light dances off the water of the Venetian canals, so too does it illuminate these ubiquitous amber drinks. Stopping off at Bar Ducale, one of the many pasticcerie (little café bars that sell cakes and coffee as well as pasta and alcohol) that dot the city, we plucked up courage to ask ‘cos’è quella bevanda per favore‘. The lovely owner introduced us to the Aperol Spritz – liquid gold to cool your throat on a warm day for sure! We were amused that they have Prosecco as well as soda on tap, such is the demand for Aperol Spritz. Locals are just as likely to have a mid-morning Aperol as they are to have a coffee – a tradition that we followed to the letter. Apparently, you can’t get a hangover on Aperol Spritz… This, it turns out isn’t factually accurate.

…to the world!

If you’re nowhere near a bar in Venice, then luckily Aperol’s growing popularity in the UK means you can often find it on the cocktail menu in bars and restaurants. The spirit’s owners opened a London base in the Shard in 2015 to begin promoting the drink in the UK – just two years after our Venetian discovery. Connected? Who can say…