Aperol Sour Recipe | co*cktail Society (2024)

By Timo Torner/ Last updated on May 7, 2023

This Aperol Sour is a great summer co*cktail based on Aperol and Gin and sweetened with a delicious Prosecco syrup. It's a creative, herbal, low-ABV drink that makes for a perfect apéritif.

Aperol is known for being a great apéritif liqueur. It's even more popular as an ingredient in apéritif co*cktails. Now, our Aperol Sour recipe takes the refreshing taste of a sparkling spritz apéritifo and turns it into a unique sour.

Quick Facts Aperol Sour

• Method:shaken, dry shake
• Flavor profile:bittersweet, slightly sour
• How to serve it:neat in a chilled glass
• Glassware:sour or coupe glass
• Alcohol content:~ 11.5% ABV, 11 grams of alcohol per serving

Besides Aperol, a classic Spritz calls for chilled Prosecco, we don't use that in our Sour. Instead, we make a delicioushomemade Prosecco syrup to incorporate the crisp, aromatic, acidic flavors of Italian sparkling wine into this co*cktail.

Ingredients & Recommendations

Of the six ingredients required for this Aperol Sour, Gin is the only alcoholic element apart from Aperol. That makes this Sour a fantastic low-ABV option. Here's all you need, including some recommendations to make this drink perfect:

• Aperol:The bittersweet, orange-hued Amaro liqueur, with its distinct, slightly herbal taste, is a must for this drink.
• Gin:Gin is only a secondary ingredient (0.75oz) with the primary purpose of increasing the ABV of the final drink because it would be too low and sweet otherwise. Opt for a classic London Dry Gin likeBombay Sapphireor Beefeater, or a gin that pairs well with Aperol. Malfy Gin, Edinburgh Seaside, or Malfy Gin con Arancia are great options.
• Lemon:Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a vital part of this co*cktail. If this is too tart for your taste buds, tryaging the lemon juicefor a few hours.
• Prosecco syrup:Homemade Prosecco syrup is the best way to sweeten this co*cktail. Aperol and sparkling wine just go so well together.
• Egg white:Usingegg white or aquafabais optional, but I highly recommend it for this Aperol Sour. It improves the drink visually and creates a richer mouthfeel and a silky texture.
• Aromatic bitters:Optionally, you can garnish the drink with a few drops ofaromatic co*cktail bitters. Either go with classic Angostura bitters or orange bitters. The latter emphasizes the bitter orange flavors of Aperol.
• Dried orange for garnish:this is optional but is a nice little extra for your drink.

Tipps to Make an Aperol Sour

Following these easy steps in our recipe, you can mix up an Aperol Sour in no time, and with our tips, the drink will be a real winner.

Before starting with the co*cktail, you should make the Prosecco syrup. It's best to make it at least a few hours in advance, so it can cool down before you use it. - It should come straight out of the fridge.

Ideally, also your glass goes for 30 minutes into the freezer before making the drink. Since the Aperol Sour is served without ice, all elements should be cold. If the freezer is not an option, put some ice into the glass and remove it before pouring the drink.

Further, for a perfect egg white foam, you need to perform adry shake- or, alternatively, a reverse dry shake. That means you shake for about 15 seconds without ice first. Then add ice, and shake again - or vice versa.

That ensures that the foam is firm and frothy. Your co*cktail will look amazing, the mouthfeel will be better, and the dried orange can sit on top and won't drown.

More Sour co*cktail variations

This Aperol-based version of a Sour makes for a beautiful light aperitif. If you want to try some more creative twists on the classic template, here are some drinks we recommend:

• The Pink Gin Sour
• The Peruvian Elder Sour
• The Shochu Apple Sour
• The Amaretto Sour
• The Trinidad Sour

Aperol Sour Recipe FAQs