Italy's Most Iconic Aperitivo — The Soul of the Spritz

Aperol is the drink that defined a generation of aperitivo culture. Born in Padua, Italy in 1919, this vibrant orange Italian bitter has been the centrepiece of pre-dinner drinking across Europe for over a century — and its global moment is very much now. Made from a secret recipe of bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, gentian, and a blend of herbs and roots, Aperol strikes a perfect balance between bittersweet complexity and refreshing approachability. At just 11% ABV, it is lower in alcohol than most spirits, making it the ideal choice for long, leisurely drinking. At HK$199 for 700ml, this is the essential bottle for anyone who loves entertaining, sunshine, and the Italian art of taking your time.

Tasting Notes

Vivid orange in the glass with a warm, inviting glow. The nose 

is bright and aromatic — sweet orange a

nd mandarin lead, with a gentle herbal bitterness from gentian and rhubarb underneath. On the palate, the bittersweet balance is impeccable: fresh citrus sweetness up front, building to a pleasantly bitter, herbal mid-palate with notes of vanilla and woody spice. The finish is clean, refreshing, and gently bitter — the kind of finish that makes you reach for another sip almost immediately.

Signature Cocktails

Aperol Spritz

• 90ml prosecco
• 60ml Aperol
• 30ml soda water
• Ice
• Garnish: half slice of fresh orange

Method: Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add the prosecco first, then the Aperol, then a splash of soda water. Stir gently once to combine. Garnish with a half slice of fresh orange. This is the 3-2-1 ratio — the official Aperol Spritz formula — and it is perfect every single time. Bright, bittersweet, effervescent, and utterly refreshing. The drink that turns any occasion into an occasion.

Aperol Negroni Sbagliato

• 30ml Aperol
• 30ml sweet vermouth
• 60ml prosecco
• Ice
• Garnish: orange twist

Method: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the Aperol and sweet vermouth, then top with prosecco. Stir gently once to combine. Express an orange twist over the glass and garnish. A lighter, more effervescent riff on the classic Negroni — the Sbagliato (Italian for "mistaken") swaps gin for prosecco, creating something that is simultaneously sophisticated and dangerously easy to drink. Aperol's bittersweet character makes it a natural fit here, softening the vermouth and letting the bubbles do the work.

Life's too short for bad wine.