A beloved apéritif originating in Northern Italy, the Aperol Spritz has become a mainstay of the summer. With the soaring popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, it was only a matter of time before the century-old classic was bottled for consumption.
Now, Aperol has entered the RTD market, with its orange-flavored boozy concoction hitting shelves in select states this July after debuting in Italy and Australia.
Residents and travelers to New York, Florida, and Southern California will find bottles sold in half-pint 3-packs priced at approximately $15, according to Thrillist. The ready to enjoy drinks weigh in at 9 percent ABV. The rollout is expected to expand to more areas in the near future.
Known for its citrusy notes, and spiced with a secret blend of herbs and roots, the complex, bitter Italian liqueur is the star in a drink classically made with 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. More recently, Aperol has suggested equal parts prosecco and liqueur, and it’s unclear what ratio or mixture is being bottled.
The libation has taken the U.S. by storm these past few years, and surging sales catapulted the cocktail into ninth place on the world’s bestseller list in 2019, according to Business Insider.
With the new cocktails hitting shelves this summer, beach parties and picnics are sure to have a classier feel this season. And for many, after years of waiting for an easy access Aperol Spritz, it’s about time.
This story is a part of VP Pro, our free content platform and newsletter for the drinks industry, covering wine, beer, and liquor — and beyond. Sign up for VP Pro now!
