If you're on the hunt for a drink that perfectly balances sweetness, bitterness, and fizz, look no further than the delightful Aperol Soda. Whether you're lounging by the pool, hosting a dinner party, or simply looking for a delicious and refreshing drink to enjoy, Aperol Soda is the perfect cocktail. With its vibrant orange color, refreshing bubbles, and unique flavor profile, Aperol soda cocktail is the ideal single serve aperitif.
I first began to enjoy Aperol when I was in Northern Italy, which is fitting, as Aperol in this area is rich with heritage as a classic Italian aperitif. My husband and I often enjoyed Aperol and Soda when we'd go out for pre-dinner drinks.
For a little taste of Italy at home, enjoy this refreshing cocktail while preparing my Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs, Linguine Bolognese, Pasta Alla Salmone, or Gluten-Free Lasagna.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Refreshing: With its crisp bubbles and citrusy flavor, Aperol Soda is incredibly refreshing and perfect for a hot day.
- Versatile: Aperol Soda is incredibly versatile and is made with simple ingredients. It can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other ingredients to create unique cocktails.
- Low Alcohol Content: Unlike many other cocktails, Aperol Soda is relatively low in alcohol, (roughly 11%) making it the perfect choice for daytime sipping or when you want to enjoy a light and tasty cocktail.
What is Aperol and soda?
Aperol Soda is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail made with Aperol, a popular Italian aperitif, and soda water. It's known for its bright orange color, light bitterness, and citrusy notes, making it the perfect refresher on a hot summer day or a chic aperitif before dinner.
Aperol is a bright orange liquor, with a slightly bitter flavor made of citrus oil, rhubarb, gentian root, and cinchona bark. It's mostly known as the base ingredient for the Aperol Spritz cocktail, which is a combination of Aperol and prosecco.
Ingredients for Aperol Soda
- Aperol: You can find a bottle of Aperol at most liquor stores, and even at the grocery store, or you can buy it online.
- Club Soda: You can use club soda or sparkling water. Whichever you have on hand is fine. I usually just use the soda water that I make with my Soda Stream.
- Blood Orange: You can also use a regular orange wedge, but if blood oranges are in season, grab ‘em!
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Instructions
- Add plenty of ice to a cocktail or wine glass.
- Add the Aperol and Club Soda, then give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish your glass with a slice of blood orange and enjoy!
Substitutions and variations
While I personally love this three ingredient cocktail as is, feel free to tweak it and adjust it to your liking. I’ve included a few fun variations below.
- Boozy: If you really enjoy the bittersweet flavor, you can make this Aperol cocktail a bit boozier by going heavier on the alcohol with just a splash of soda water.
- Sweet: For a sweeter variation, feel free to add a little simple syrup.
- Festive: During the holiday season you can add a sprig of rosemary to the serving glass for a festive touch. By the way, Aperol is also a perfect gift for the cocktail enthusiast in your life.
- Experiment with garnishes: While an orange slice, orange peel, or a twist of lemon is classic, feel free to get creative with your garnishes. Try adding a sprig of fresh mint or a few berries for an extra burst of flavor.
How to serve
Serve this Aperol Soda in your favorite cocktail glass with plenty of ice. You can also serve this drink in a large wine glass, just don't forget the slice of orange, as it is used to enhance the orange flavor in this fresh aperitif.
FAQ
While these cocktails are relatively similar, an Aperol Soda contains Aperol, Club Soda, and Orange, while a classic Aperol Spritz includes Aperol, Club Soda, and Prosecco. Both variations are divine, however, Aperol and Soda is a wonderful alternative for those who don’t enjoy Prosecco.
Yes! There are no grain or wheat components in Aperol; it is gluten-free.
Aperol has a lower alcohol content than most alcohol, which makes it challenging to maintain the integrity and optimal flavor when left at room temperature. It’s best to keep your glass bottle in the fridge, as it will help it last longer.
You can make many simple cocktail recipes with Aperol. Try making an Aperol and tonic, by combining Aperol and tonic water (though an acquired taste for many). You can also mix Aperol with ginger beer, grapefruit juice or sweet vermouth and top with a splash of club soda. If you have any gin lying around, you can also make an Aperol gin cocktail (I recommend ‘Zephyr’ Gin, as it is infused with a great many floral notes). As you can see, Aperol has a versatile taste-pairing that makes it a great option when you want to make a classic cocktail.
While Aperol and Campari are both Italian aperitifs, they are actually quite different. Campari is darker and more bitter than Aperol, and also has a heavier floral component. Additionally, Campari has a higher alcohol content (20%-28%) than Aperol, which sits at 11% ABV.
If you are interested in trying out Campari, I suggest making a Campari Spritz, which is extraordinarily enjoyable during the summer months.
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Aperol Soda
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 4-6 oz Club Soda
- 1-2 slices Blood Orange
- Ice
Instructions
- Add plenty of ice to a cocktail or wine glass.
- Add the Aperol and Club Soda, then give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish your glass with a slice of blood orange and enjoy!
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