First, it was the Midori Sour (yes, taking it way back). Then, the Cosmopolitan. Next, the Mojito took over along with the "skinny" margarita and vodka soda with lime. The Moscow Mule reigned supreme and then all of a sudden everyone was into tiki-themed everything and rum-based cocktails, wearing Gilligan's Island-looking shirts and building tiki hut bars in their backyards. Right around this time, the "anti crowd" began a campaign to bring back whisky and bourbon as an anti-trend statement because with that crowd everything old is new (and ultra hip) again. And while the Mojito, tiki, and whisky were trending, rosé was creeping up and up, slowly but surely taking control of the cocktail reins as a refreshing, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible adult beverage for the masses. Rosé exploded and was (and is) absolutely everywhere - including Target along with products galore with cutsey rosé sayings (rosé all day, y'all).
But as they say, all good things must come to an end. In case you have been out of the loop, let me bring you up to speed. Rosé, the former queen of alcoholic beverages for American ladies since about 2014, has been replaced by a new princess: Aperol and its Aperol Spritz cocktail, which are taking over the world. Aperol is the Meghan Markle of cocktails, and it remains to be seen if Kate Rosé Middleton will continue her reign as a perennial classic.
The rise of the Aperol Spritz (also known as the Spritz Veneziano or simply a Veneziano) isn't exactly novel. The Aperol Spritz is actually not "new" by any stretch. It has been a standard Italian cocktail forever and is much-beloved in Europe. And it is delicious! However, about 18 months ago or so I began realizing that Aperol was on the rise in the States. It was popping up here and there on Instagram and then when I then saw the Vanderpump Rules girls drinking them on the show last year I knew that was it. Aperol had dethroned rosé and was the new crowned princess of the trendy cocktail crowd.
So what's with Aperol? Well, Aperol is a bitter-ish rhubarb and orange liqueur with a gorgeous orange color that has always been wildly popular in Italy. Combined with prosecco, soda water, and an orange garnish it is a pretty and refreshing wine-based cocktail that is definitely worth a try. Made by Campari, the right Aperol recipe is a beautiful edition to any gathering. Serving the Aperol Spritz also says, "I'm hip." (At least until trendsetters move on, and I predict it will be to the French 75 and the Sidecar. You heard it here first.)
Frankly, the Aperol Spritz is delicious and so easy to make. All it takes is a wine glass, ice, equal parts prosecco and Aperol, a splash of soda, and a garnish. That's it. For fun, I like to take orange sugar sand and rim the glass, but I'm extra like that. To get really creative, I've replaced the ice with a scoop of orange sherbet and a straw, to the delight of many a girlfriend and guest. Kind of a girls' night treat/dessert. Why not, right? I never said I was on the Dry January bandwagon or Whole 30!
Look, trends are trends. But when something lasts through the ages it is for a reason. Campari and soda, the Aperol Spritz, and all Aperol-related cocktails have never waned. They just weren't as popular here and its nice to see that a deserving liqueur is getting its due. Fair warning everyone: I saw a girl in an Instagram post the other day wearing a t-shirt that read "SPRITZ" in orange letters. So you'd better get on the Aperol train before Target replaces its rosé-themed apparel and items and launches t-shirts and wine glasses with sayings like "spritz yourself" and "spritzy girl."
Cheers,
Pearl