20 Simple Aperol Cocktails

Although it’s not as popular in the United States as it is in Europe, Aperol is a staple of Italian aperitifs.

And the variety of Aperol cocktails available is astounding.

Aperol has a beautiful, bright orange color and is made from rhubarb, gentian, and cinchona.

It’s sweet and zesty and tastes like vanilla-infused orange juice with plenty of pungent herbs.

Its unique flavor means that Aperol cocktails also have distinct, sometimes hard-to-describe tastes ranging from bitter to sweet, tangy to tart.

There’s one thing for sure, though.

No matter which Aperol cocktail you try, you’re in for a refreshing drink experience that’s probably unlike anything else you’ve tasted.

1. Aperol Gin Cocktail

If you’re a fan of the orange blossom cocktail, you’ll probably like this one, as well. It combines Aperol and gin for a distinctly orange blossom flavor. 

However, you’ll also add lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda for an extra bit of bubbly zestiness.

2. Fizzy Aperol Grapefruit Cocktail

If bittersweet and herby is more your style, try the fizzy Aperol grapefruit cocktail instead.

It’s a lovely sparkling drink (thanks to the Prosecco and tonic water) with a bite. 

The grapefruit juice comes through strongly in this drink, and if you muddle the thyme sprig, you’ll get hints of it, as well.

3. Paper Plane Cocktail

The paper plane cocktail is the ideal after-dinner drink.

It’s quick and easy to make, and it features mild ingredients that give it a light, palette-cleansing taste.

4. Pineapple Aperol Cocktail

This cocktail is a slightly sweeter, more tropical version of the traditional Aperol spritz.

It features a sparkling, peachy-orange color and a pineapple- and orange-heavy taste.

You can make it in 5 minutes with only four ingredients, but don’t forget to add the slice of pineapple for a garnish. It makes it look nicer, and it tastes fantastic.

5. Paloma Aperol Spritz

This mix of Aperol, tequila, and prosecco might sound overwhelming, but give it a try, and I know you’ll fall in love.

The grapefruit soda and lime juice cut through the strong alcohol flavors and make it super refreshing.

6. Aperol Cosmopolitan

This may not look (or taste) like the traditional Cosmo, but that doesn’t make it any less tasty.

It has a vibrant, tangy flavor that features vodka and notes of citrus.

It’s also a strikingly bright orange that looks fantastic against the green of the lime peel garnish.

7. Apple Cider Aperol Spritz

You’ll find a recipe for Italy’s famous Aperol spritz at the bottom of this post. It’s a gorgeous drink that looks like sunshine in a glass.

But this one is distinctly fall-forward.

The pumpkin-like orange color and the fresh thyme make it ideal as a Thanksgiving cocktail.

8. Aperol Orange Juice Cocktail

If you prefer pulpy orange juice that has a hint of bitterness to round out the edges, then you’ll adore this simple mixed drink. 

It’s not eye-twitching sour, but there is a distinct bitter flavor to it. If you try it and find it to be too abrasive, cut back on (or leave out) the ginger next time.

9. Summerthyme Screwdriver

I don’t know how to describe this drink other than to say it’s like lemon-flavored orange juice that’s been spiked with vodka and had half the spice rack thrown in for good measure. 

When I put it like that, it might not sound terribly appetizing, but believe it or not, it’s actually quite delectable and 100% refreshing.

10. Strawberry Aperol Spritz

Here’s yet another variation on the classic Aperol spritz. This one uses strawberries, basil leaves, sugar, Prosecco, Aperol, club soda, ice, and garnishes.

It’s not as crisp and clean as the original because the strawberry flavor is overly sweet, but if you like fun, fruity drinks, you’ll appreciate this one.

11. The Confident Man

The confident man is a variation of the Paloma cocktail, but you’ll use vodka instead of tequila and add a dash of Aperol for the extra dose of bittersweet flavor. 

If you love overly sweet, fruit-flavored drinks, this one isn’t the right choice for you, but if you like cocktails that’ll make your lip curl up at one side, give this one a shot.

12. El Chipilo Cocktail

Italy meets Mexico in this slightly spicy mishmash of a margarita and an Aperol spritz. It’s tangy with plenty of orange taste and a little bit of heat. 

It’s not a drink that everyone will love, but if you have a thing for zesty margaritas or enjoy experimenting with peppers, you’ll probably dig it.

13. Summer Manhattan Cocktail

This drink doesn’t taste anything like the typical Manhattan to me, but that’s what the recipe calls it, so I’ll call it the summer Manhattan, as well. 

It’s more sweet than tart, and it has an odd, almost Coca-Cola-like color that makes it easy to overlook.

Still, it’s a relatively strong drink with a sweetly mild flavor. Give it a shot if you’re into that kind of thing.

14. Halloween Spritz

It tastes like a bittersweet, tangy orange fruit punch, and it looks like Halloween in a glass. Yep. It’s safe to say that I am 100% here for the Halloween spritz. 

15. Aperol Margarita Cocktail

If the Aperol spritz and a traditional margarita had a baby, the Aperol margarita cocktail would be that baby. It’s citrusy, tangy, and icy cold. 

If you’re looking for a refreshing drink to cool you down on a hot day, this is it.

16. Aperol and Soda

I like to joke that the Aperol and soda is Italy’s version of the Crown and Coke, only the Aperol and soda is much sweeter and fruitier. 

It’s really just sweetened, slightly watered-down Aperol. 

However, if you love the aperitif’s orange flavor but can’t quite get behind its herby bitterness, this drink is the solution to that problem.

17. Aperol Americano

All you’ll need to make this 2-minute cocktail is Aperol, sweet vermouth, club soda, and an orange peel garnish. 

This drink is relatively dry despite the sweet vermouth, but it’s cool and invigorating, especially on a hot summer’s day.

18. Rhubarb Blush Cocktail

I actually love this somewhat dry, pretty-in-pink mixed drink, although I was in the minority when my friends and I all decided to try it. 

It has this delightfully sweet and sour taste that you usually only get from sour candy, but there’s an underlying herb flavor that takes some getting used to for some people.

I, on the other hand, took to it instantly. It’s a fantastic drink if you want something light and not too sweet.

19. Raspberry and Aperol Floats

Sometimes, a simple cocktail isn’t what you’re craving; instead, dessert drinks are the treats on your mind.

That’s precisely what this brilliantly red and white masterpiece is. 

You’ll make it with thyme, sugar, Aperol, raspberries, vanilla ice cream, and club soda.

Like all the best floats, it perfectly combines the sweet with the tart and the creamy with the bubbly.

Plus, the colors of this one are gorgeous, it would look great for Valentine’s Day or Christmas.

20. Pomegranate Tangerine Aperol Spritz

All you’ll need to make this light and fruity, four-ingredient drink is Aperol, Prosecco, tangerine La Croix (or soda water), and pomegranate juice. 

It’s colorful, bubbly, fruity, and fun, and I highly recommend using the La Croix if you can find it. The additional tangerine taste plays so well with the other fruit flavors.