Just a few weeks after we moved to Italy, Tim and I were having a seaside lunch and I saw a table full of Italians laughing and talking with brightly colored orange drinks in hand. “Scusi!” I called to the waiter and then asked what the drink was in my broken Italian. “Spritz Aperol,” he exclaimed. One for me, please!
Enjoying a Spritz Aperol after tobogganing
Three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, a splash of soda water, ice, and a slice of orange, Italians have been sipping on the fizzy apertif since Aperol was presented at the International Fair of Padua in 1919. Aperol is made in Italy by the Campari Company and a Spritz Aperol is a refreshing and light drink with flavors of orange, rhubarb, and herbs. Usually the drink is served with potato chips, which just seem to taste better (as do most things) in Italy.
Venice, Padua, and Trieste all claim to have invented the Spritz, but it’s roots are said to have been born with the Austrian empire, which took over Venice during the early 19th century. As the tale goes, Hapsburg soldiers would water down the strong local wine with a “spritz” of sparkling water.
Spritz Aperol varies from Italian city to Italian city and even from bar to bar. The bright orange drink has even caught on outside of Italy; it’s a German favorite, can be seen all over Monaco, and Aperol began being imported to the United States nearly 10 years ago. We even like to make Spritz Aperol at home. Here’s a little recipe if you’d like to give it a try!
Spritz Aperol
3 oz Prosecco
1 1/2 oz Aperol
Splash of soda water or sparkling water
3-4 ice cubes
thick slice of orange
Fill a white wine glass with the ice. Pour in the Prosecco and then top with the Aperol. Add the soda water and gently stir to mix. Garnish with the orange slice, which will continue to infuse the Spritz Aperol with orange flavor. Serve with potato chips and eat the orange slice!
Have you tried a Spritz Aperol?
Jennifer Dombrowski
Jennifer Dombrowski is a location independent globe trotter and bases herself in Prata di Pordenone, Italy. She works as a social media and innovation strategist in higher education and is a regular contributor on johnnyjet.com. Her website, jdombstravels.com, is the 2012 Destinology Travel Bloggy Best Newcomer award winner. Google+
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We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
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8 comments
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Larry
March 13, 2013 at 4:01 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I love the Spritz Aperol! I tried my first one in Venice and drink at least one every week during the Summer. Never tried one in the Winter but that is about to change.
[Reply]
Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
I usually don’t drink Spritz Aperol in winter either, but it was quite popular at the ski resort. Just as refreshing and delicious in winter as summer!
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Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista
March 14, 2013 at 12:39 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Yum, this sounds refreshing! I’ll have to make some. My husband loves rhubarb!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Unnoticed Architectural Gems of Europe
[Reply]
Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Let us know how he likes it, Debbie!
[Reply]
Andrea
March 14, 2013 at 5:09 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Yum! This sounds delish – I don’t think I’ve had one…
Andrea recently posted..30 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Norway
[Reply]
Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 9:50 pm
You must try one on your next trip to Italy then!
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Margaret
March 15, 2013 at 12:34 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
That’s one of my favorite drinks! I usually have them in the summer–never thought of it as an after-snow drink, but now…
Margaret recently posted..Nordic skiing, Teacup Lake, Oregon
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 15th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
I hadn’t thought of it as a winter drink either, until I saw everyone at the ski resort drinking Spritz. And what do you know? Just as refreshing in winter as summer!
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