Aperol Aperitif

Aperol Aperitif is a 750mL bottle of the bright-orange Italian aperitif bottled at 11% ABV, created in Padua in 1919 by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri after seven years of experimentation. Its bittersweet recipe — gentian, rhubarb and cinchona are the widely reported named components of a secret infusion, alongside bitter and sweet orange — is famously lighter and sweeter than Campari, at less than half the strength, and it is the aperitif the Spritz was built around. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 11%
• Size: 750mL (US bottling)
• Style: Italian aperitif
• Known components: Gentian, rhubarb and cinchona, with bitter and sweet orange (secret recipe)
• Origin: Padua, Italy, 1919 — Barbieri brothers; Campari Group since 2003
• Key serve: Aperol Spritz, 3-2-1 Prosecco / Aperol / soda

Padua's Orange Aperitif, a Century of Spritz

The Barbieri brothers spent seven years perfecting a lighter kind of aperitif before presenting Aperol at the Padua International Fair in 1919 — its name taken from "apero," French slang for an aperitif. Its 11% strength was the breakthrough: an aperitif you could build a long, sociable drink around. That drink arrived in the 1950s in the Veneto, when the Spritz serve took hold, and the official recipe has never changed since: three parts Prosecco DOC, two parts Aperol, one part soda, over plenty of ice in a wine glass with an orange slice. Campari Group has owned the brand since 2003 and guards the recipe the same way. Compare its bigger red sibling on the Campari vendor page and browse the wider aperitif shelf in our spirits collection.

Tasting Notes

Bright orange and bittersweet — orange-led, with a gentle herbal and root bitterness underneath from the gentian, rhubarb and cinchona character. Noticeably sweeter and softer than Campari, which is exactly what the Spritz needs.

How to Enjoy

The official Aperol Spritz: 75mL Prosecco DOC, 50mL Aperol and a 25mL splash of soda over ice in a stemmed wine glass, garnished with an orange slice. It also lengthens well with grapefruit soda or tonic. Prosecco and the rest of the build are across our wine collection and spirits collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make an Aperol Spritz?
The brand's official 3-2-1 recipe: 3 parts Prosecco DOC (75mL), 2 parts Aperol (50mL) and 1 part soda (25mL), built over plenty of ice in a wine glass and garnished with an orange slice.

What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?
Aperol is sweeter, less bitter and much lighter — 11% ABV against Campari's 24% US bottling — with a bright orange hue where Campari is dark red. Both come from Padua-era Italian aperitif tradition and the same parent group today.

What does Aperol taste like?
Bittersweet orange first, with a soft herbal bitterness beneath. Gentian, rhubarb and cinchona are the widely reported named components of its secret recipe.

Three-two-one and the Spritz is poured — order Aperol online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.