Aperol

I know Aperol has been around for a century and the spritz wildly trendy in the US since 2018 or so (likely before), and I should thus be skeptical or perhaps even derisive, but they are a recent discovery for me, and when combined with sunshine and an outdoor setting, holy sh*t I could guzzle them by the gallon. At a 2:1 wine-to-aperitif ratio over ice, I think sweet-bitter rearranges the descriptors correctly. The sugar is certainly there, but not too cloying when cut with dry wine and ice, and the herbal + bitter orange notes offset everything nicely and keep each sip interesting. Even better with a touch more citrus oil - expressed orange rind or a few drops of bitters. Good with any dry white or rosé, sparking or not. Haven't sipped it directly over ice, but don't intend to. I'm already sure its better this way. Maybe these will get old for me eventually, but let’s just say I need to stock up on a few bottles for warm weather season 2020.

I really like this liqueur and it is great for hot-weather drinks. I picked up a bottle about a month ago and it is nearly gone now. It has wonderful light citrus notes and the bitterness is not overpowering. I have made a few of the spritzers they recommend and they range from average to great. However, the drink that encouraged me to try this liqueur is called a "Spaghetti" and it is amazing in hot weather. You take a lighter beer like regular Bud or Miller or a pilsner. Add 1 oz of Aperol and .5 oz of fresh lemon juice ( I use the juice from a half of a small lemon) add those the glass and pour the beer in and drink. The beer does need to be cold or the bitterness is the first thing you taste. I really like this liqueur and can not recommend it highly enough. It makes a great mixer but I did not care for it by itself or on the rocks. Enjoy.

Overrated