This Aperol Negroni cocktail is a refreshing and sophisticated twist on a traditional Negroni recipe.
About the Recipe
Make this Aperol Negroni for your next Italian aperitivo hour! This cocktail has simple ingredients and is a delicious treat.
It’s a vibrant drink that will elevate your cocktail game with the mixture of gin, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters. The bitter and sweet notes along with its beautiful orange color make this an inviting and enjoyable drink.
This citrusy and aromatic drink is perfect for hot summer days! Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue, pool party, or relaxed brunch with friends, this is the perfect drink to serve. This drink is great for a pre-dinner cocktail!
If you are looking for more cocktail recipes, check out our: Peach Bellini, Negroni Spritz (Negroni Sbagliato) or Sweet Basil Cocktail.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Refreshing - The addition of Aperol in this twist on a traditional Negroni cocktail brings a distinct bitter orange flavor with hints of sweetness. It has both a refreshing and unique flavor.
Beautiful - Once this drink is mixed, it creates a vibrant orange cocktail that is visually appealing and perfect for showcasing and impressing your friends. You will love how stunning this looks in the perfect glass!
Versatile - You can easily customize this cocktail to suit your specific taste preferences. You can choose to mix this drink stronger or milder, by adjusting the proportions of Aperol, gin and sweet vermouth to the perfect balance of flavor just for you!
Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients you will need for this twist on a classic cocktail recipe. You should easily be able to find these ingredients at liquor stores.
- Gin - Use the best gin you have for the best tasting cocktail. There are a lot of different brands out there, but we love Hendricks Gin or Watershed Gin.
- Aperol - We're using aperol in this recipe in place of Campari.
- Sweet vermouth
- Orange bitters - Or any Italian bitters
- Orange garnish - Use an orange peel or orange slice for garnish
Directions
Let's make this Aperol cocktail together!
Step 1: In a rocks glass, combine the gin, Aperol, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. Add a large ice cube and stir. You can also use a mixing glass. but a cocktail shaker is not needed.
Step 2: Garnish with an orange peel, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this Aperol gin cocktail:
Don’t forget the garnish - Garnishing with a fresh orange twist or slice helps to enhance the citrusy notes of the Aperol and you don’t want to miss out on that.
Stir, don’t shake - This Aperol Negroni is best stirred and not shaken. Stirring helps to gently blend the ingredients, minimizes dilution and maintains the drink’s flavor.
Make it a Spritz - Make this recipe a spritz by adding soda water.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this Aperol Negroni recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Rocks Glass - I love these beautiful rocks glasses!
Stirring Spoon - This stirring spoon is great for any cocktail lover.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy cocktail.
Garnish - Get creative with your garnishes. Along with the orange twist or slice, try adding a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme. Try different citrus twists like lemon or grapefruit or add a few fresh berries.
Served Up - You could serve this cocktail up in a coupe cocktail glass instead of on the rocks.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this delicious cocktail:
Simple Charcuterie Board - This simple charcuterie board is perfect for entertaining! Try making your own charcuterie board at your next party for super easy entertaining!
Easy Tomato Crostini with Whipped Cream Cheese - This Tomato Crostini with Whipped Cream Cheese appetizer is perfect for entertaining! With creamy whipped cream cheese, sauteed garlic tomatoes, and a sweet balsamic drizzle, each bite is so delicious.
Bacon Wrapped Figs - These bacon wrapped figs are perfect for any entertaining event! Stuffed with cheese and wrapped with bacon, these figs are the perfect delicious bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aperol is an Italian aperitif that has a bitter-sweet profile. It is made with a blend of herbs, roots and orange peel. It's famous for it's vibrant orange color.
A substitute that would work for Aperol is Campari. Campari will provide a more intense and bitter flavor than Aperol but can be used interchangeably.
The traditional choice for a Negroni would be London dry gin but you really can’t go wrong with other varieties like floral, citrus-infused or barrel-aged gins. All would offer unique flavors that would be fun to experiment with.
Other Recipes to Try
Aperol Negroni
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz aperol
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dash orange bitters
- Orange peel for serving
Instructions
- Add gin, aperol, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a rocks glass. Add ice and stir.
- Garnish with an orange peel and serve.
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