Spritz cocktails are among the most popular afternoon drinks in Italy. When the sun sets, people gather in Cafés and enjoy a glass of these sparkling and refreshing drinks.
The Aperol Spritz stands for this category of cocktails like no other. Still, the simple mix of Aperol, Prosecco, and chilled soda water leaves room for experimenting.
For example, when adding Elderflower liqueur to the mix and spiking it with a bit of Vodka, you get an amazing cocktail.
The Elderflower Aperol and Vodka Spritz tastes floral and herbaceous with a beautiful hint of bittersweet orange.
Ingredients of the Elderflower Aperol and Vodka Spritz
The classic Aperol Spritz recipe is made from only three ingredients at a ratio of 3:2:1. Three parts of Prosecco are mixed with two parts Aperol and topped with one part chilled soda water.
This Elderflower Aperol and Vodka Spritz cocktail uses a customized 3:2:1 template.
Vodka, Aperol, and elderflower liqueur (in equal parts) account for the three parts. Then you add two parts of grapefruit juice and two dashes of orange bitters for some tartness, freshness, and complexity.
Finally, the Spritz cocktail is topped with one part of chilled tonic water to add a sparkling effect. For a better overview, here is the list of ingredients:
- Vodka
- Aperol
- Elderflower liqueur
- Grapefruit juice
- Tonic water
- Orange bitters
- Grapefruit wheel or wedge for garnish
What is Aperol?
Aperol is a bittersweet herbal liqueur within the family of Amaro liqueurs. All Amaro liqueurs are bittersweet in taste and flavored with numerous herbs, roots, and plants.
However, the exact recipe, flavor, and alcohol content varies widely and are kept secret.
Furthermore, Aperol is relatively low-ABV as it only contains 11% ABV. It is only slightly bitter and brings in floral and fruity flavors instead. -Usually, Amaro liqueurs have a much more bitter taste - just think of Campari or Fernet Branca.
More about Elderflower liqueur
Elderflower liqueur is a rare cocktail ingredient. The most important elderflower liqueur, St Germain, was released in 2007. Since then, the floral liqueur has won countless gold medals.
The taste of elderflower liqueur is pretty hard to describe. The liqueur is relatively light, sweet, citrusy, and floral. You can even find some fruity notes like pear in it.
Due to its sweet and floral taste, elderflower liqueur is often used in summer cocktails like Spritzes.
More Aperol cocktails
Using Aperol in a drink is a great way to add complexity, herbal flavors, and a bittersweet taste.
You can use it in countless Spritz varieties, Aperol and Gin cocktails, Aperol and Vodka drinks, and twists on cocktails made with other Amaro liqueurs.
- Aperol Sour: An elegant cross between a classic sour cocktail and an Aperol Spritz.
- Montreal Cocktail: A boozy aperitif that is the official drink of the city of Montreal.
- Aperol Spritz: The most popular Spritz cocktail and the reason Aperol became so famous in Europe and the US.
- Aperol Negroni: A less bitter riff on the classic Negroni recipe substituting Campari with Aperol.
- Aperol Cosmopolitan: This modern interpretation of the Cosmo uses only three ingredients.
- Aperol Gin & Tonic: A herbal and colorful twist on a Mediterranean Gin and Tonic.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Elderflower liqueur (St Germain)
- 2 oz Grapefruit juice
- 1 oz Chilled tonic water
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except tonic water into a cocktail shaker with ice.1 oz Vodka, 1 oz Aperol, 1 oz Elderflower liqueur, 2 oz Grapefruit juice, 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Shake until well-chilled and then strain into an ice-filled glass.
- Top with tonic water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.1 oz Chilled tonic water