Aperol Barbieri Aperitivo

Aperol was created in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers in Padua, Italy, and has been produced by the Campari Group since 2003. It belongs to the Italian aperitivo tradition, a category of low-alcohol, bitter-sweet spirits meant to stimulate the appetite before a meal.

Aperol is made from a proprietary blend of bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, gentian, and a range of herbs and roots, with the exact recipe remaining closely guarded. At 11 percent alcohol by volume, it sits notably lower than most liqueurs, making it an approachable option for those who prefer lighter drinks.

Its vivid orange colour is natural to the botanicals used. Aperol is most widely consumed as the base of the Aperol Spritz, a long drink built with Prosecco and soda water that has become one of the most ordered cocktails in the world over the past two decades.

Beyond the spritz format, it works well in lower-alcohol Negroni variations, paired with tonic, or served over ice with a slice of orange.

For a Kitsilano bottle shop customer looking to build a well-stocked home bar, Aperol is a practical, versatile choice that covers casual entertaining and classic Italian-style aperitivo occasions with equal ease.