How about an Aperol sour cocktail on a hot summer day? It's a fruity, zesty and tangy drink made with fresh citrus juices. This vegan version is made without egg whites but tastes just as good as the original!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Who doesn't love a good twist on the classic sour cocktails such as whiskey sour and gin sour?
- Aperol sour is a very refreshing cocktail with bright citrus notes despite having a higher alcohol content.
- No fancy equipment or cocktail shaker is needed.
- It's the perfect cocktail to serve if you're hosting a small party or simply to indulge after a busy week at work.
Ingredients
Aperol is an Italian aperitif with a bright orange color. It's characterized by aromas of bitter oranges, gentian (an herb that produces fragrant orange-yellow flowers, used for its bitter compounds) and cinchona aromas (a tree, whose bark is used for its high quinine content). It's the main liquor in this cocktail.
Gin is the second liquor in this cocktail. To fully enjoy the citrus flavors of the cocktail, you can choose a London dry gin (no added flavoring after distillation and no sweeteners) with its predominant juniper aromas. Personally, we love Hendrick's distilled gin, infused with juniper, rose and cucumber.
Fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice make up the sour part of this cocktail. We recommend freshly squeezed citrus juices for the best results.
A touch of simple syrup provides the perfect balance between the bitter, sour and sweet components of this recipe.
Elo's tips
- No simple syrup? No problem! You can make simple syrup in the microwave in only a few minutes. Combine equal parts of water and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2-5 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Make sure to stir halfway through. Let it cool a little before using your simple syrup in a cocktail.
- Serve it in a chilled glass for an ice-cold cocktail.
- Make this cocktail in a large punch bowl for a party. Use an affordable gin such as Gordon's London dry gin and bottled orange and lemon juice to save time.
Step-by-step pictures
Sugar rim a glass. Pour a little lemon juice on a plate. Cover another plate with granulated sugar. Dip the glass in lemon juice first. Then, dip it in sugar without doing circular motions.
Start by filling a glass with 3-4 large ice cubes. Pour 3 ounces Aperol, 1 ounce gin and 1 ounce simple syrup into the glass.
Juice the orange and the lemon. Add 5 ounces of orange juice and 5 ounces of lemon juice. Give it a good stir.
You can add a splash of soda water to dilute it a bit more if desired.
Garnish with a lemon or orange slice and a strip of orange zest.
Frequently asked questions
Aperol can be found at most liquor stores, next to bottles of Campari. However, you can also order it online.
The best Aperol substitute would be Campari for its bitter orange aromas. However, Campari is stronger, more bitter and less sweet than Aperol. Nonetheless, it would be a great Aperol substitute in this cocktail.
More Aperol cocktail recipes
- This Aperol tonic cocktail is a twist on the classic Aperol Spritz. Overall it's a very light cocktail that's perfect on a hot summer day.
- Aperol negroni is a strong drink made of three types of liquor and served over ice. This recipe uses Aperol instead of Campari.
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The recipe
Zesty Aperol Sour Cocktail (With Gin)
Ingredients
- 3 parts Aperol
- 1 part Gin see notes
- 1 part simple syrup optional
- 5 parts fresh orange juice from 1 large orange
- 5 parts fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Juice the orange and lemon. Save a slice of orange and a strip of lemon zest as garnish.
- Fill a heavy-bottomed glass with ice cubes.
- Add the Aperol, gin and simple syrup (if using) to the glass.
- Pour in the orange and lemon juice. Give it a good stir.
- Garnish with the orange slice and lemon zest.
Notes
- How much is one part? For 1 cocktail, 1 part is 1 cl.
- Which gin to choose? To fully enjoy the citrus flavors of the cocktail, you can choose a London dry gin with predominant juniper aromas (no added flavoring after distillation and no sweeteners). Personally, we also love Hendrick's distilled gin, infused with juniper, rose and cucumber.
- What is the best Aperol substitute? The best substitute would be Campari for its bitter orange aromas. However, Campari is stronger, more bitter and less sweet than Aperol.
- How to make simple syrup in the microwave? Combine equal parts of water and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 3-5 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Stir halfway through.
- For a party: you can make this cocktail in a large punch bowl. Use an affordable gin such as Gordon's London dry gin and bottled orange and lemon juice to save time.
Nutrition
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