When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in my case, when in Tuscany, do as the Tuscans do. That is how I came to discover this fabulous neon drink.

This is an Aperol Spritz. When I was in Italy, I’d be walking around in the late afternoon and all the sidewalk cafes would be filled with people sipping on this bright beverage. Aperol is an aperitif. And Aperitif is an alcoholic drink that stimulates the appetite. It is usually a bitter drink. The Italians love bitter drinks. They say that a little bitterness helps you to realize the sweetness in life.

More common than the Aperol Spritz was the Campari Spritz. They are basically the same thing. Two bitter, orange flavored alcohols, mixed with white wine and soda water. I personally find Campari just a little too bitter. Aperol is also bitter, but not as much. For a spritz, you can either mix white wine and a splash of soda with your Aperol, or use sparkling wine. One day I ordered an Aperol spritz and was given a glass filled half with champagne and half with Aperol. It was wonderful. Magical.

There is not a lot of science to this drink. It is more about mixing to your own tastes. I like an even 1:1 of wine and Aperol with a splash of soda water, but if you search the net, some people say 3:1 wine to Aperol or 2:1. So, play around and see what tickles your fancy. It will certainly tickle your tongue. And what’s more? It tickles your eyes. It isn’t every day you can look so sophisticated drinking something so neon.

Aperol Spritz

• 2 oz Aperol
• 2 oz white wine, dry
• splash of soda water

Fill a glass with ice, fill with wine, Aperol and splash with soda.

Variation:

• 2 oz Aperol
• 2 oz champagne

Pour and drink.

Photographs by Jessica Yager.