Aperol Is Here! Aperol Is Here!

I'd been waiting so long for this stuff to be available in our state, I just stopped checking and forgot about it. But now Aperol bitter liqueur is available (only at store #101 on 4th Avenue S.). Oh happy day.

Aperol is like Campari's cute little sister; it has less of a bitter bite, with a sweet and creamy strawberry-orange-rhubarb flavor. Aperol also has the unique distinction of a very low alcohol content, only 11%. That's the same as most white wine. But since Aperol is usually served with soda or on the rocks in a small glass, you can drink it two for one, and be none the wiser (drunker?). In Southern Italy, Aperol is where it's at. People drink it breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it's as ubiquitous in the afternoon as a shot of espresso.

Anything Campari can do, Aperol can do, sometimes better. Aperol and soda, Aperol Negroni, Aperol and lemonade, Aperol ginger, Aperol and OJ or grapefruit, Aperol and bubbles, Aperol rickie, Aperol fizz...my new favorite is equal parts Aperol and Lillet on the rocks with a giant orange slice. Licorous is the only place I've seen Aperol on offer, so add a comment if you've seen it elsewhere.