Aperol is now 99 years old. The Italian aperitif is made with bitter orange, rhubarb, different flowers and surely some secret ingredients. At 11% it has half the alcohol of its sibling Campari and a far less bitter taste. The Campari company actually bought out the original Aperol firm and over the past few years has soared to popularity.
You can find Aperol cocktail ideas all over the web. I found one using Aperol and gin and it was good, but this one is better. I am not a fan of most flavored vodkas but the products from Absolut are astonishing. The Absolut Mandarin makes a superior cosmopolitan and here, combined with Aperol, you get just about the best cocktail you can imagine. Try it and I guarantee this will become a regular for you.
About the sugar syrup. I served this to eight people on Easter. Seven of them said it was too sweet, so I have reduced the sugar syrup here at the request of friends and wife. Particularly my wife. Me? I’d put a full ounce of simple syrup but even I must admit that more of the Aperol zing comes through with less sugar.
Aperol Citrus Splendor
Yield: 1 cocktail
Ingredients:
- Juice of 1 lemon, about 1 ounce
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ½ ounces Aperol
- 1 ½ ounces Absolute Mandarin
- Lemon juice and sugar to coat rim, optional
- Lemon wedge for garnish, optional
- Club soda, optional
Preparation:
Put the lemon juice, simple syrup, Aperol and vodka in an ice filled shaker. Shake vigorously for at least 20 second. Pour into your glass, already rimmed with sugar if you desire. Garnish with a wedge of lemon.
This drink has a tad bit of a wallop. If you desire, tone it down with a little club soda.
Drink, make more, drink more.
Source: Brian O’Rourke
Photo Information: Canon T2i, EFS 60mm Macro Lens, F/3.5 for 1/30th second at ISO‑200