The History of the Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz

is an Italian aperitif, originally created in 1919 by bartender Raimondo Ricci. The drink was invented as a means to combat the heat and humidity of Italy’s summer months. It became popular among people who wanted something light to sip on before dinner. In recent years, this refreshing cocktail has become quite popular worldwide, with many variations being made - one of the most famous being the Americano version!

Aperol Spritz Dates Back to The 1800s

However, The Aperol Spritz cocktail appears to trace back to the 1800s in northeastern Italy's Veneta region when Austrian soldiers visiting Italian wine producers added water to make a drink lighter. The history of the name of this popular drink is believed to date back to the 1800s in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy controlled by Austro-Hungarian Empire during that time. Visitors and soldiers from other parts of the empire were said to have found Italian wines too strong and so lightened them with a "spritz" (in German) of water which became known as an Aperol Spritz.

Why is Aperol Spritz so popular today?

In Italy, it has always been popular as both an apéritif or after-dinner drink that precedes heavier fare like espresso coffee but also enjoys popularity internationally at any time of day. It is characterized by its bright orange color—a result of added fruit extracts from oranges used during the brewing process--and low alcohol content typically around 11%.

Time to Make The Perfect Aperol Spritz:

A bottle of a good, dry white wine.

1) Half an orange slice or lemon peel in the glass - to add citrus flavor and aroma.

 

 

2) Add crushed ice -  breaking a chunk of ice in two will always increase its area. So, crushing ice means more surface area - which means faster cooling. If you don't have crushed ice, ice cubes will do just fine.

 

 

3) One or two shots of Aperol - the star ingredient in this cocktail! The strength is not too overpowering so it can be mixed with any liquor (If your heart desires)

 

 

4) Time to add Prosecco (sweet Italian sparkling wine), you get that perfect balance between bitter and sweet flavors that makes this drink stand out from other cocktails like the Cosmo or Mojito.

 

 

5) A Dash of Club Soda or Carbonated water - This will give you the fizzy and it's done!

 

 

The Aperol Spritz is a favorite Italian drink, and it's easy to see why. It's light, refreshing, and perfect for any time of the day. But if you want your guests not just to enjoy their experience but also ask for more when they leave, then make sure you try these tips out at your next party! And remember that we can help with all things Italy-related.