Looking to learn how to make an easy and refreshing Aperol Gin Cocktail recipe?
Take a trip to the scenic Amalfi Coast while sipping a quick & easy citrus-forward drink made with Italy’s favourite aperitif.
We love making this Gin Aperol Cocktail in the summer, sipped on the cottage dock or a sun-soaked patio.
Our simple recipe features Aperol, premium gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, sparkling soda water and lime slice garnish.
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What is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, among other ingredients. It has a vibrant orange hue. Its name comes from the French slang word for aperitif, which is apero.
Aperol was originally produced by the Barbieri company, based in Padua, but is now produced by the Campari Group. While Aperol was originally created in 1919, by Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, it did not become successful until after World War II.
Although it tastes and smells much like Campari, Aperol has an alcohol content of 11%, less than half that of Campari. Aperol and Campari have the same sugar content, and Aperol is less bitter in taste. Campari is also much darker in colour.
The Spritz, also known as Aperol Spritz, is the most famous Aperol-based cocktail. Another popular variant is the Aperol and Gin Cocktail.
Travel To Italy to Sip Aperol Cocktails
There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with our favourite Gin and Aperol Cocktail recipe then by planning a vacation to visit Italy.
While Aperol was originally served as a Spritz cocktail in the north, Italy’s most popular aperitif is now enjoyed in drinks across the country and throughout Europe and North America.
If you’ve traveled to Italy before you’ll probably have developed a fondness for aperitivo hour. Aperitivo comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” Historically, an aperitivo was an alcoholic beverage consumed before dinner to whet your appetite. Today, it’s a daily ritual that embodies la dolce vita.
True to form, this daily routine exudes Italy’s quintessential style of slowing down, socializing, drinking, and, of course, eating. In Italy aperitivo hour starts every night from around 6-9 PM at local cafes, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Italians and tourists alike take part in drinks and snacks while they unwind and catch up with friends before their evening meal filled with polenta, pasta, short rib ragu, pici, gnocchi, pizza and gelato.
Classic Italian aperitifs like vermouth, Campari, and Aperol are served at aperitivo hour with a complimentary selection of snacks like olives, crackers, cured meat and cheese.
We suggest ordering a refreshing Aperol Gin Cocktail after sailing through the canals in Venice, luxury car hopping in Modena, tanning on the beach in Amalfi, visiting the Pantheon in Rome, exploring Italian Renaissance treasures in The Vatican, Armani and contemporary art shopping in Milan, touring the tower in Pisa, and enjoying a Honeymoon in Tuscany with stops in Siena, Sorano, Pitigliano, Saturnia, Volterra and Florence.
Aperol Gin Cocktail Ingredients
This Aperol Gin Drink is made with quality and fresh ingredients:
- Aperol: Italy’s favourite orange coloured aperitif. The star of the show!
- Gin: we suggest using Aviation Gin, Hayman’s Gin or The Botanist Gin.
- Lime Juice: we suggest using freshly squeezed lime juice. Don’t you dare use the store bought stuff as you can taste the difference.
- Simple Syrup: we make our own homemade simple syrup but you could also spice things up by using Organic Ginger Syrup by The Ginger People.
- Lime Garnish: adorn the rocks glass with a slice or wedge of lime.
Instructions
This is a super simple cocktail to make at home, ready to serve in just minutes!
- In a cocktail shaker, add 2 large ice cubes, Aperol, gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
- Shake contents of the cocktail shaker for 45 seconds.
- Pour contents of the cocktail shaker into a rock glass. Top with soda and muddle with a spoon.
- Garnish Aperol Gin Cocktail with lime wedge or slice.
Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.
Aperol Gin Cocktail Recipe Tips
- This Aperol Gin Cocktail recipe is easy to make at home, ready to serve in just minutes. We love serving Aperol Gin Cocktails in the summer as they are refreshing on a hot day.
- We suggest serving this drink in a handsome rocks glass or elegant coupe.
- We’ve shaken and strained this cocktail but if you like ice in your glass to keep it cool feel free to plop a few cubes into a rocks glass before serving.
- Our Aperol Gin cocktail recipe serves one person. If you’re hosting a large gathering feel free to multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and muddle the drink in a punch bowl or jug rather than a cocktail shaker.
- Feel free to add a few drops of your favourite bitters to give the drink additional depth of flavour.
- An hour or two before you’re planning on serving drinks we suggest placing the Aperol and gin bottle in the freezer so they are well chilled.
- You can easily make an Aperol Gin and Tonic by substituting soda for tonic water.
- A popular brunch variant of this drink is the Aperol Orange Juice with Gin. Simply add a few glugs of freshly squeezed OJ to the cocktail shaker.
- We like to garnish the glass with a lime wedge but you can go The Spritz route by using an orange slice instead.
When To Serve a Aperol Gin Cocktail
This classy and refreshing cocktail can be enjoyed any time of year. Here are some suggestions on when to grab your Aperol and Gin bottles:
- Cocktail hour drink served with snacks like Hawaiian Creamy Coconut Shrimp, Creamy Spanakopita Dip or Sigara Börek Crispy Turkish Feta Cheese Filo Cigar Rolls.
- Sophisticated guys or girls night beverage
- Pre-drink at home before meeting friends at your local bar
- Dinner party cocktail served with dishes that compliment the citrusy flavour of the drink like Sherry Cream Sauce Lemon Chicken or Ndunderi Amalfi Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi.
You May Also Enjoy These Aperol Cocktail Recipes…
- Aperol Soda Cocktail
- Aperol Spritz Veneziano Aperitivo Cocktail
- Aperol Tequila Cocktail
- Aperol Negroni Cocktail
- Aperol Aquavit Cocktail
How To Make An Easy Aperol Gin Cocktail Recipe
Aperol Gin Cocktail
Equipment
- Shot Glass
- Rocks glass
- Cocktail Shaker
- Citrus Juicer
- Cocktail spoon
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz Lime juice
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 oz Soda Water
- Lime Wedge
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add 2 ice cubes, Aperol, gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
- Shake contents of the cocktail shaker for 45 seconds – 1 minute.
- Pour contents of the cocktail shaker into a rock glass. Top with soda and muddle with a spoon.
- Garnish Aperol Gin Cocktail with lime wedge or slice.
Nutrition
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