A classic cocktail and a great sipping drink. Our Aperol twist on a traditional Campari cocktail gives this version a sweet kiss and Summer vibe. This drink is a great Saturday sipper or great for drinking all afternoon. Try this Aperol Americano today!

🍹 What makes this recipe special?
This is a simple cocktail with very few ingredients. Aperol, sweet vermouth, club soda, and an orange slice or peel to garnish. One of the great things about this cocktail is none of the ingredients are high in alcohol content, so it is an excellent drink for sipping all day long.
There is no strong spirit in this recipe. There is nothing like a gin that you will find in its more potent cousin, the Negroni cocktail. We also use Aperol in our classic Paper Airplane recipe and our Sam Ross sour recipe.
🍊 Ingredients
Campari is the traditional alcohol of choice in the Americano cocktail, but I use Aperol. Both are classic Italian bitters, but Campari is the flashier and louder relative. Maybe the drunk Uncle of the two?
Campari is more potent in alcohol (about double), darker in flavor, and quite a bit more bitter than Aperol. The bitterness is what sold me on using Aperol for this drink.
I think there is a time and place for strong bitter flavors, but I want something a bit sweeter for tall sipping drinks. Campari is a spirit that I can take in limited quantities.
The sweeter, more subtle flavors of Aperol make it perfect for a toned-down version of the classic Americano... the Aperol Americano cocktail. The ingredients in this drink are as follows:
- Aperol
- Sweet Vermouth
- Club Soda
- Orange Peel, round, or slice
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍲 Instructions
This is about as uncomplicated as it can get. Add Aperol and Sweet Vermouth to a glass with ice. Top with club soda and garnish. Finally, drink it up!
🤷 Substitutions and variations
I think the obvious substitution would be to use Campari instead of Aperol. I choose Aperol, as it isn't quite as bitter and has a more excellent flavor.
If you want to kick the punch up a notch, maybe add a shot of gin or vodka. Instead of club soda, maybe prosecco or champagne would be good!
A lemon slice instead of, or in addition to, the orange could be lovely. This shouldn't be complicated. Go sit by the pool, make what tastes good, and roll with it.
🎓 History tidbit
This cocktail originated 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 served drinks from there. Sweet Vermouth, a fortified herbal wine, had already been established as a spirit and would be something familiar in drinks, particularly in Italy.
Originally called a 'Milano-Torino' for the location of the origin of Campari and the brand of Vermouth used. The cocktail would later become popular among Americans, and later the name would alter into Americano. Interestingly, the Americano would later become a Negroni after patrons would ask for an Americano with gin.
❓ FAQ
Traditionally, it is Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda. Aperol is like a less bitter version of Campari and works great for this drink, as well.
A Negroni contains gin, but an Americano is lighter and does not.
Campari is a bit more bitter and less sweet than Aperol.

📝 Tips and tricks
- 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.
🛠 Products used in this recipe
😋 Did you make this recipe?
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 rating it. If you want to see more from me, make sure to subscribe to get updates via email. Most of all, thank you for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.
📖 Recipe

Aperol Americano Cocktail
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 Drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Pour
- Cuisine: Italian
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
- 1 ½ Ounce Aperol
- 1 ½ Ounce Sweet Vermouth
- Club Soda, to top
- Orange Peel or round to garnish
Instructions
- Add Aperol and Sweet Vermouth into a highball glass filled with ice
- Top with Club Soda
- 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
Jessica Kirk
Sounds like a delicious combination, not too tart, not too sweet. Perfect for a relaxing get-together.
★★★★★
Catherine
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.
★★★★★
Ben
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. 😉
George
I don’t get it. Why not just have an Aperol Spritz? It’s the #1 cocktail in Italy. Aperol, Prosecco, soda water and ice.
Ben
I don't get what there isn't to get? Different ingredients. Different drink? If someone wants a different drink. Cool. Or have this one.
Amber
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.
★★★★★
Ben
Awesome. I really like Aperol and this cocktail is a great sipper.
Danielle
Such a wonderful cocktail to sip on a Friday night! Delicious, great looking and so easy to make. Love the recipe.
★★★★★
Ben
Thanks for the comment and it is super easy to make!
Melsisa
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.
★★★★★
Ben
LOL! I like it and glad you liked it.
Larry Schrock
Very nice, sweet flavor. I used Rivata sweet vermouth from Italy. Thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
Ben
mmm... sounds special. Thanks for trying out the recipe Larry and glad you enjoyed it!
Bernese s
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
Erin
Fun and refreshing with the aperol. Tastes like a creamsicle, but better! Next time I'm using vanilla ice cream!
★★★★
Ben
Thanks for giving it a try and visiting Ramshackle Pantry!