Recipe Roundup

19 Aperol Cocktails That Aren’t All Spritzes

This list will get you through that bottle even if you’re done with spritzes for the season.

By Joe Sevier and The Editors of Epicurious

October 9, 2023

19 Aperol Cocktails That Arent All Spritzes

We love a good spritz, but there are lots of other Aperol cocktails that are absolutely worth making at home. The citrusy, bittersweet Italian liqueur, sometimes called Campari’s gentler sibling, can be used in a wide array of drink recipes, pairing nicely with pretty much any spirit you can name: gin, bourbon, tequila… And while the spritz and its many delicious variations feel perfect for hot days, plenty of these Aperol drinks work well in cooler seasons too. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite options to sip your way through that bottle.

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
1/19
Extra-Refreshing Aperol Spritz
Okay, before we get into our list of Aperol cocktails that are not spritzes, we invite you to consider that not every spritz is alike. This version uses a slightly different ratio than most, so the final drink is a bit less sweet and a lot more refreshing.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
2/19
Bittersweet Symphony
If you find the negroni a bit too intense, don’t automatically give up on its many variations. An extra splash of gin mellows this silky cocktail’s bittersweet punch; herbaceous Punt e Mes adds complex flavor, while the Aperol mellows things out considerably. It’s a riff on the classic cocktail that really works for us.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
3/19
Paper Plane
One great thing about equal-parts cocktails like this one is that they’re so easy to memorize. And this one, made with Aperol, bourbon, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice, is worth making again and again.
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Photo by Lizzie Munro
4/19
Naked and Famous
Here’s another Aperol drink in equal parts, but with mezcal instead of bourbon, herbal yellow Chartreuse instead of Nonino, and lime instead of lemon, giving you a sipper that’s lightly smoky, tart, and citrusy in all the best ways.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele
5/19
Player Piano
There’s something magical about the blend of soft, citrusy Aperol and fragrant elderflower liqueur. In the right ratios—like in this cocktail—their combined flavor is reminiscent of the best fruit punch you’ve ever tasted.
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Photo by Jordan Hughes
6/19
Modern Medicine
We strongly believe that a touch of scotch can work wonders in a cocktail. This Aperol-tinged whiskey sour gets a scotch float, inspired by the Penicillin. It works.
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Photograph by Natalie Migliarini and James Stevenson
7/19
Enjoying a Margarita in Venezia
Let’s introduce your basic margarita to our friend Aperol. We think they’ll get along great.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman
8/19
Archangel
You could think of this drink as a cucumber-scented martini that’s made with Aperol instead of dry vermouth.
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Photo by Emma Janzen
9/19
Division Bell
This mezcal cocktail balances earthy smoke with rich, almondy maraschino liqueur, bittersweet, orangey Aperol, and tart lime.
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Photo by Daniel Krieger
10/19
Boathouse Punch
If you’re hosting a gathering to watch the game or eat a ton of turkey, this big-batch punch recipe is a great drink plan. Cut this recipe in half for smaller groups.
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Photo by Nicole Franzen
11/19
Rosé All Day
Cocktails with Aperol are great for whetting your appetite before dinner. Dress up a bottle of rosé with muddled strawberries, fresh lemon, and a splash of Aperol for the ideal aperitif.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Michelle Gatton, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano
12/19
Wild Heart Cocktail
Bitter lemon soda and Angostura bitters cut through the sweetness of this low(ish)-ABV cocktail.
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Christopher Testani
13/19
Saint-Florent Cocktail
There’s no better way to start a celebration than a tray of these fizzy drinks made with sparkling wine, gin, honey, lime juice, and Aperol. If you have time, chill the sparkling wine first so its bubbles stick around.
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Photo by Shannon Sturgis
14/19
Say Anything
Spicy jalapeño-infused tequila meets Aperol and watermelon in this summery drink. The spicy tequila will keep for several months, so you don’t need to do all the prep at once.
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Sivan Lewin
15/19
Easy Does It, Baby
Grapefruit and sparkling rosé bring balance and blushing color to this make-ahead Aperol concoction. A touch of fresh thyme adds herbal flavor that feels fitting for a fall or winter party.
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Photo by Daniel Krieger
16/19
Arancio Americano
The Americano cocktail is a classic combo of bold Campari and sweet vermouth with sparkling water. This lighter variation uses Aperol and a touch of fresh orange juice plus prosecco for a brunch-friendly sipper.
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Danny Kim
17/19
Aperol Mist
This less-sweet take on the spritz gets a creamy texture from wheat beer and brightness from fresh lemon.
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Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime
18/19
Aperol-Kombucha Spritz
Kombucha’s tartness works wonderfully in cocktails—here, it’s combined with sparkling wine, Aperol, and lemon for a simple drink.
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Marcus Nilsson
19/19
Aperol Floats
Looking for Aperol cocktails to serve after dinner? Make these fizzy, thyme-scented ice cream floats with Aperol and tangy crushed raspberries for a digestif and dessert in one.
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