Fresh Summer Cocktails Inspired by Italian Summers and La Dolce Vita :

Maple Aperol Spritz

To truly match the summer styling of living lifeLa Dolce Vita, we start with the ultimate Italian summer Pappy Hour offering, the Aperol Spritz.

 As far as summer cocktails go, few have achieved true icon status. One such cocktail that has come to define not just summer, but an authentic Italian summer, is the Aperol Spritz. It honestly feels somewhat rebellious to dine at an Italian table in the summer without accepting the offer of the cocktail, with a color as recognizable as the flavor.  

 Vivid and vibrant, it practically screams summer with its arrival - it is the brightness of summer in a glass. Popping with the color of a full June sun, it so fully represents the idea ofLa Dolce Vita, so much so that you can buy everything from postcards to t-shirts, with its image as recognizable as the Italian coastline itself. 

Its flavor, color and signature status all belie the same thing - embracing a ritual.  Perfect for a social gathering or a lingering lunch, the Aperol Spritz has a sweet, yet somewhat sharp flavor that makes it a trueapertivo. Meant to stimulate conversation and jump start your appetite, it is considered the ideal aperitif, as  it signals the start of something, whether a long meal, or a sweet conversation - with an Aperol Spritz in hand, it means the fun is just getting started. 

 Getting its name from one of the only 3 ingredients, the Aperol responsible for its hue and its flavor, a classic Aperol Spritz follows a somewhat simple pattern with a trio of ingredients. Prosecco, Aperol, and sparkling water, and of course, the final blazing glass is adorned with a juicy slice of orange.  

 Aperol itself has a very distinct and recognizable flavor. Bittersweet and citrusy, it is most reminiscent of orange zest, both in color and flavor. With a slight hint of vanilla and the subtle earthy and herbal tones from the cinchoan bark and gentian root, it makes for a balanced and layered flavor ideal for an aperitif.  

 These complementary flavors also invite the introduction of a slightly sweeter version of a traditional Aperol spritz, one with a drizzle of the coordinating flavors of our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup that highlight the bittersweet citrus of the Aperol with the complexity of caramel, butter and charred oak.  

 Enjoy our Maple Aperol Spritz and be instantly transported, if only in feeling, to the Italian Riviera. We recommend our Signature Keys Nick & Nora Cocktail Glasses for an added element of retro charm and summer sophistication.  Of course, if you are looking for a bourbon version of this ultimate fresh, citrusy and refreshing summer cocktail, we have our Aperol Bourbon Fizz for such an occasion.