From humble beginnings in little bars across Northern Italy, the Aperol Spritz has not only become the Italian aperitivo of choice, but a favourite right across the globe!
In Italy, aperitivo is a cultural ritual where light drinks and nibbles are enjoyed with friends and family before dinner, a laidback transition between work and play. Light and refreshing with a unique bittersweet taste, Aperol Spritz is the perfect prelude to a meal.
Part of the Aperol Spritz allure is its simplicity, but to create the ideal serve, there a few key things you’ve got to get right.
Italian ex-pat and Maybe Sammy Co-Owner Stefano Catino explains that it all starts with the glass, and in this case, size matters. “For the perfect Aperol Spritz, you need a large wine glass,” says Catino. “420ml is what you’re looking at to make the best drink.”
The ingredients for an Aperol Spritz are super simple, but the ratio between them is key. This is where the 3:2:1 rule comes in:
3 parts Italian Prosecco (90ml)
2 parts Aperol (60ml)
1 part soda water (30ml, just a dash)
You’ll also need plenty of ice and an orange wedge to garnish.
Begin with a generous amount of ice; a crucial element according to Catino. “Make sure to use a lot of ice,” he says. “The wine glass has to be full, we don’t want to see floating ice”. The more ice, the colder the drink will stay, meaning less dilution overall.
Next pour in 90ml of Prosecco, followed by 60ml of Aperol. Catino stresses the importance of respecting the proportions. “If you don’t put 60ml of Aperol, in Italy you go to jail,” jokes Catino. Finally, add a dash of soda water, give it a quick stir and garnish with an orange wedge.
So, there you have all the expert tips for a perfect Aperol Spritz – where the dos are just as important as the don’ts! Check out Stefano Catino’s step-by-step demonstration here.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to make a mean Aperol Spritz, you could be in the running to win a trip to Venice, Italy – the home of Aperol! Simply film yourself creating the perfect serve and post to Instagram for your chance to win.
See www.aperolspritz.com.au/spritzmetovenice/ for more details.
