Looking for a new cocktail to try out this weekend? Want to wind down with a fresh new drink? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should drink this weekend.
I’ll freely admit that I typically reserve bright, bubbly aperitivi for the warm weather. An Aperol spritz has no business being made in the colder months of fall and winter. But, toss in a little herbal amaro and you’ve got an Autumn-friendly cocktail. This weekend we’re whipping up an Aperitivo Del Nonno.
This recipe comes from the Milan, Italy cocktail Iter and combines a variety of flavors for a sparkling mixed drink perfect for pretty much any season. The bitter, bracing flavors of Amaro Lucano combine with the bright sweetness of Aperol. Orange bitters adds a touch of citrus while the Sparkling Rose brings some dryness and of course the requisite carbonation. All in all it’s a well-balanced drink that will certainly serve you well in cooler weather.
Aperitivo Del Nonno Ingredients
Amaro Lucano – The original recipe calls for Amaro Lucano and we’d certainly suggest seeking out a bottle for yourself. The bitter herbaceousness adds a nice contrast to the other ingredients. Once you’ve tried Lucano, though, we’d definitely recommend experimenting with some other amari. Montenegro and Braulio are two great options to try in this drink.
Aperol – As mentioned, Aperol adds quite a bit of sweetness to this cocktail. If you’re looking for an alternative aperitivo, we’d recommend St. Agrestis Inferno Bitter or Select Aperitivo.
Sparkling Rose – La Marca Prosecco Rosé and Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne are two widely available sparkling roses that will work just fine in this cocktail. If you’re looking for an upgrade selection, we’d recommend Billecart Salmon Brut Rose Champagne.
Orange Bitters – Lastly, you’ll need a few dashes of orange bitters in this mixed drink. Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6 is our go-to but the famed Angostura also makes their own orange bitters.
Aperitivo Del Nonno Recipe
- Combine .5 ounces Amaro Lucano, 1 ounce Aperol, .5 ounces Sparkling Rose, and 2 dashes of Orange Bitters in a Collins glass.
- Add ice and stir to combine.
- Top with seltzer or tonic water.
- Garnish with a lime peel and enjoy!
