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Home » cocktails » Aperol Americano Cocktail

Aperol Americano Cocktail

Published on September 30, 2019 by Ben · Updated on September 16, 2021 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 12 Comments

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"Aperol Americano - Classic Cocktails" in a glass.

A classic cocktail and a great sipping drink. Our Aperol twist on a traditionally Campari cocktail gives this version a bit of sweetness and makes it a great Saturday sipper or great for drinking all afternoon. Try this Aperol Americano today!

Aperol Americano Cocktail with a white napkin and flower on the table.

Aperol Americano Cocktail Basics

This is a simple cocktail with very few ingredients. Aperol, sweet vermouth, club soda, and an orange to garnish. One of the great things about this cocktail is none of the ingredients are high in alcohol content, so it is a great drink for sipping all day long.

There is no stronger spirit in this recipe. Nothing like a gin, that you will find in its stronger cousin, the Negroni cocktail. We also use aperol in our classic Paper Airplane recipe and our Sam Ross sour recipe.

Aperol vs Campari

Campari is the traditional alcohol of choice in the Americano cocktail, but I choose to use Aperol. Both are classic Italian bitters, but Campari is the flashier and louder relative. Maybe the drunk Uncle of the two? Campari is stronger in alcohol (about double), darker in flavor, and much more bitter than Aperol. The bitterness is what sold me on using Aperol for this drink.

I do think there is a time and place for strong bitter flavors, but for tall sipping drinks, I want something a bit sweeter. Campari is a spirit that I can take in limited quantities and the sweeter, more subtle flavors of Aperol make it perfect for a toned-down version of the classic Americano... the Aperol Americano cocktail.

History of the Americano Cocktail

This cocktail has it's origins with Campari, which was created in 1860 by a man named Gaspare Campari. He opened up a cafe in front of the Duomo in Milan, Italy (which is a beautiful place) and was serving drinks from there. Sweet Vermouth, a fortified herbal wine,  had already been established as a spirit and would be something common in drinks, particularly in Italy.

Originally called a 'Milano-Torino' for the location of the origin of Campari and the brand of Vermouth originally used. The cocktail would later become popular among Americans and later the name would alter into Americano. As an interesting side note, the Americano would later become a Negroni after patrons would ask for an Americano with gin.

What Brand of Sweet Vermouth to Use

Probably the biggest variable in this drink is the Sweet Vermouth. First and foremost, I would say use what you like! Traditionally, the cocktail uses Punt e Mes brand of Sweet Vermouth, so that would be a good starting point if you can get it. Because the flavor is so reliant on the spirits you are using here and the Aperol is static in flavor, I would maybe splurge a bit here and make sure you are getting a nice Sweet Vermouth. Here is a list of Sweet Vermouths that might fit the bill for you if you can't use Punt e Mes.

What is the Difference Between Club Soda, Soda Water, and Sparkling Mineral Water?

Soda water is carbonated water. Club Soda, however, has some minerals that are added. These can include sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, and occasionally sodium chloride. Both the carbonation and minerals are artificially added. Sparkling mineral water has naturally occurring carbonation and minerals.

For this recipe, we call for Club Soda, but if you used the other ones, the difference would be small. Use what tastes good!

Glass to Use

I recommend using a highball glass, but use what feels right! Obviously, the shorter the glass, the more concentrated the cocktail. We are basically mixing up the ingredients and then topping off with some club soda.

Aperol Campari Cocktail Tips

  • Choose a nice sweet vermouth for this drink. The flavor depends on it.
  • A highball glass is recommended, but this will work in any glass as long as you have enough club soda to fill the glass
  • For the Orange garnish, either use a twist or just the orange peel.
  • Lemon can be used in substitution to the orange.
Aperol Americano Cocktail angled picture with white flower and napkin to the side.

Products I Used in This Recipe

  • Highball Glasses
  • Shaker kit for measuring

Did You Make an Aperol Americano Cocktail?

If you liked this recipe, you could do me a real solid by taking some time to let me know how it went in the comment section below and by sharing this recipe on Pinterest. I always appreciate hearing from you.  If you want to see more from me, make sure to subscribe to get updates via email.

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Aperol Americano Cocktail with a white napkin and flower on the table.

Aperol Americano Cocktail

★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Ben Myhre
  • Prep Time: 1 minute
  • Cook Time: 1 minute
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Drink 1x
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Method: Pour
  • Cuisine: Italian
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Description

This Aperol Americano Cocktail is a great and simple drink. This is a a slight twist on the classic and you will want more than one.  It tastes great and the low alcohol content makes it a great afternoon sipper!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ Ounce Aperol
  • 1 ½ Ounce Sweet Vermouth
  • Club Soda, to top
  • Orange Peel or round to garnish

Instructions

  1. Add Aperol and Sweet Vermouth into a highball glass filled with ice
  2. Top with Club Soda
  3. Garnish with orange and serve

Notes

  • Choose a nice sweet vermouth for this drink. The flavor depends on it.
  • A highball glass is recommended, but this will work in any glass as long as you have enough club soda to fill the glass
  • For the Orange garnish, either use a twist or just the orange peel.
  • Lemon can be used in substitution for the orange.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 glass
  • Calories: 158 Calories
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 3 mg
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: Americano Cocktail

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Comments

  1. Jessica Kirk

    October 03, 2019 at 10:57 pm

    Sounds like a delicious combination, not too tart, not too sweet. Perfect for a relaxing get-together.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Catherine

    January 15, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    This really is such an elegant twist on a classic. It sounds refreshing and divine...I wouldn't mind sipping on one right now actually.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ben

      January 16, 2020 at 6:55 am

      The only thing that is stopping you from sipping on that cocktail right now (6:54AM right now where I am) is YOU. Well, and normal social conventions. 😉

  3. Amber

    January 15, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    Very tasty... especially for a lower calorie cocktail. I tend to like cocktails with sweet Vermouth (maybe because I am a big wine drinker) so this is a winner.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ben

      January 16, 2020 at 6:54 am

      Awesome. I really like Aperol and this cocktail is a great sipper.

  4. Danielle

    January 16, 2020 at 5:23 am

    Such a wonderful cocktail to sip on a Friday night! Delicious, great looking and so easy to make. Love the recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ben

      January 16, 2020 at 6:53 am

      Thanks for the comment and it is super easy to make!

  5. Melsisa

    May 04, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    In this time of WFH, our team has taken to virtual happy hours. This is a nice way to partake without getting sloshed in front of co-wrokers.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ben

      May 04, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      LOL! I like it and glad you liked it.

  6. Larry Schrock

    July 20, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    Very nice, sweet flavor. I used Rivata sweet vermouth from Italy. Thank you for the recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ben

      July 21, 2020 at 6:00 am

      mmm... sounds special. Thanks for trying out the recipe Larry and glad you enjoyed it!

  7. Bernese s

    January 08, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    Interesting to use aperol because it's less bitter, but punto e mes which is 1/3 bitter by name. I would've expected a less bitter vermouth if the point is to tone down bitterness

    Reply

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Hi, I am Ben Myhre! Ramshackle Pantry is about the most decadent classics and the history behind them! We explore delicious recipes, the history behind them, and find ways to make the recipes our own! Then, I share my recipes with you. Find out more about me and Ramshackle Pantry in the About page.

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