Upscale
Spirited
A Proper Apéro Hour
Aperol, dry vermouth, sparkling wine, a twist. The French cocktail hour.
Time
5 min
Makes
1 cocktail
Difficulty
Easy
Glass
Wine glass
Citrus
Stirred
Crowd
Method
1
Fill a wine glass with a large ice cube. Add the vermouth, Aperol, and sparkling wine.
2
Stir once with a barspoon — just enough to combine.
3
Express a grapefruit twist over the drink (squeeze peel side down) and drop it in.
4
Serve immediately. The apéro is meant to be sipped, not slammed.
From the kitchen
L'apéro is 90 minutes, never less. The pace is the point.
Story so far
A proper apéro is 90 minutes, never less. Start with the cocktail; follow with 3-4 small plates (olives, radishes with butter, a charcuterie board, marcona almonds). The pace is the point: the apéro is a soft landing between day and dinner. The cocktail itself: 3 oz dry vermouth + 2 oz Aperol + 2 oz dry sparkling wine (Brut or Extra Brut) + a grapefruit twist. Build in a wine glass over a large cube; stir once with a barspoon. The grapefruit oils from the twist are essential — they cut Aperol's sweetness and add a bitter top note.