Cocktail Hour: Aperol Spritz

In one month from today I will be boarding a plane for Spain and now that it is only four weeks away it starting to become real.  I have activities planned for every day of my trip to Barcelona and Madrid but have also allowed some free time to truly explore both of these Spanish cities.  One thing I will definitely be enjoying on the other side of the pond is an Aperol Spritz. 

While in Vienna last fall I had my first Aperol Spritz cocktail at Palmenhaus on the grounds of the Hofburg Palace and fell in love.  While common European drink is comprised mainly of  Prosecco the standout ingredient is Aperol, an Italian aperitif containing bitter orange and rhubarb. After having my first cocktail I then proceeded to order one a day for the rest of my time in Austria and the Czech Republic.  (And I am not kidding, you can see shots of the amazing orange drink at Gasthaus Pöschl in downtown Vienna, from the rooftop of the Prince U Hotel in Old Town Square.)

Three days after I had my first Aperol Spritz, on my last night in Prague, I was walking home from drinking Absinthe at the Hemingway Bar and I passed a liquor store with the lovely orange liquid in the window. I thought about it for a split second and then walked in and I purchased a bottle to take home.  I am not sure why it took me months to open it but Saturday night I rounded up a bottle of Prosecco, a bit of club soda (you only need a splash), a fresh orange, and a ton of ice to whip up a few delicious cocktails.  

You can tell the bottle I am drinking is actually from Prague as the instructions are on how to make the cocktail are in Czech but it is easy enough and the instructions are on the company’s website; 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part club soda.  With an 11% alcohol content the beverage equates to a large glass of wine and I will definitely be enjoying this traditional Italian aperitif cocktail in Europe next month!

Have you ever had an Aperol Spritz?