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Summer is the time for vacations, beach parties, and, of course, a variety of refreshing drinks.
Cocktail lovers probably know what Aperol Spritz is.
This trendy drink has been introduced to us relatively recently. But Europeans have known it for a very long time.
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Aperol cocktail syringe
Aperol Spritz is one of the trendiest summer drinks in Mediterranean countries. Italians especially love it. They are the ones who attribute themselves to creating this delicious refreshing cocktail.
It is believed that it first appeared in Venice.
The drink is easily recognizable by its amber-orange color. Aperol can be found both on open terraces in big cities and in small cozy restaurants somewhere on the Adriatic or Mediterranean coast.
Aperol Spritz is especially popular at beach parties among heated lovers of hot nights and parties.
First, let's find out where the orange miracle drink with an amazing tart taste came from, and who its creators are.
After all, many people think that this is a relatively new drink. However, the history of the Aperol goes back almost 100 years, and Italy and Austria are still arguing about which country was the first to introduce it to the world.
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The History of Aperol Spritz
So, the Aperol Spritz cocktail got its name after the Aperol bitter. This alcoholic drink, with its bitter taste, was first produced in the Veneto region of Italy, Padua, in 1919.
It is believed that the Aperol Spritz cocktail appeared in the middle of the 19th century in Venice after the area was captured by the Austrian Empire.
And the thing is that the invaders came up with the idea of diluting local wines with water. This is what they used to do in their native land, in Austria's Wachau Valley. This place is famous for its rich wine history and luxurious grape plantations.
Of course, bitter Aperol was not yet invented at that time, so the drink used by soldiers can only be called the ancestor of the traditional cocktail we are used to today.
According to another version, the recipe for the drink was invented by the same soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army, but much later, during the First World War, during the occupation of northern Italy, the region Veneto.
They also diluted local wines with plain water (mostly Prosecco sparkling wine), adding low-alcohol Aperol for a more subtle taste. By the way, at that time he was just beginning to gain popularity.
The composition of Aperol
So Aperol itself is a bitter with an alcohol content of 11 percent. The drink is produced in the Italian city of Padua (Veneto region). It contains more than 30 different ingredients, thanks to which the drink gets its recognizable amber-orange hue and bitter taste.
The main ingredients of the drink are oranges, rhubarb, gentian, quinine fruits and other aromatic herbs that grow in Piedmont, another northern region of Italy.
The unusual herbal bitterness was a perfect match for Spritz cocktails, which were gaining popularity at the beginning of the last century. Local wines were also added to these cocktails, as well as a non-alcoholic tonic.
By the way, in German, a syringe (Spritz) means “splash”.
As a result of such an unusual combination of Aperol and other ingredients, the Aperol Spritz cocktail was created, the taste of which is so different from other drinks.
And its unusual freshness and astringency were immediately appreciated by millions of residents of the Old World.
Aperol Spritz cocktail recipe
The main secret of making an Aperol Syringe cocktail is to maintain the proportions of the necessary ingredients.
The 75:50:25 ratio is considered classic, that is, you will need 75 ml. Prosecco, 50 ml Aperol and 25 ml of sparkling water.
So, please note that you have the following ingredients on hand:
Prosecco (or sparkling dry wine/champagne) — 75 ml;
Bitter Aperol – 50 ml;
Soda (soda) – 25 ml;
As well as ice cubes and orange slices.
If you have problems with classic Prosecco wine, you can replace it with any dry or semi-sweet sparkling wine (champagne). It's up to you to choose.
Bitter Aperol can also be replaced if necessary. Its counterpart is the more popular Campari. In this case, you will have a slightly different cocktail called “Black Syringe”.
By the way, some establishments add tonic instead of sparkling water, but this depends on your desire and taste preferences. The classic drink contains soda.
Cooking:
1. Pour prosecco (dry sparkling wine or champagne) into a large wine glass.
2. Then pour in Aperol in a thin stream, then add sparkling water. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
3. Garnish with orange slices, add ice.
That's it, a wonderful fashionable cocktail is ready. Serve the drink chilled.