How to prepare ‘Aperol’ at home

The original recipe for Aperol is strictly confidential and protected, so it is impossible to make an authentic copy. However, this does not mean that we cannot create our own home variation that comes close to the taste of the iconic liqueur. The basis is a combination of citrus freshness, delicate sweetness, and typical herbal bitterness.

Ingredients:

250 ml neutral alcohol (vodka or pure spirit, ideally around 40%)

Bitter orange peel (if unavailable, sweet orange can be combined with a little grapefruit)

zest of sweet oranges

a small amount of rhubarb (adds a typical earthy-fruity tone)

dried gentian root or other bitter herb

a piece of cinchona bark (source of quinine, adds bitterness, can be replaced with other bitter herbs)

sugar or simple sugar syrup (to balance the flavors)

water as needed

optionally, a little natural coloring (e.g., from hibiscus or carrot juice) if you want to achieve a more pronounced orange hue

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients (except sugar, water, and coloring) in a glass container and cover with alcohol. Make sure everything is submerged.

2. Close the container and let it steep for at least 7–14 days in a dark place, gently shaking it every day.

3. After the steeping period, filter the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.

4. Prepare sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water), let it cool, and gradually stir it into the liqueur. Adjust the amount to achieve the desired sweetness.

5. Dilute with clean water so that the resulting liqueur has approximately 11 - 15 % alcohol. With this volume and alcohol content of 40 %, slowly dilute with 660 ml of water.

6. If you want the typical orange color, add natural food coloring.

7. Let the liqueur sit for a few more days to allow the flavors to blend.

The result will not be identical to the original Aperol, but it will be very close and, importantly, you can prepare it according to your own taste. Combined with Prosecco and soda, you get a version of Aperol Spritz that will make hot summer days more enjoyable.