Contemporary Sour
Aperol Sour
The Aperol Sour turns the familiar bittersweet aperitif into a bright, citrus-driven shaken drink. A small measure of gin adds structure beneath the orange and herbal character of Aperol, while fresh lemon and a soft foam keep the cocktail lively rather than sweet.
- Glass
- Coupe
- Ice
- None
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Technique
- Single shake · Fine strain
Ingredients
- 60 mlAperol
- 15 mlLondon Dry Gin
- 22.5 mlFresh Lemon Juice
- 15 mlSimple Syrup — 1:1
- 20 mlFOAMY WHITES
Method
- 01Fill a shaker with large, solid ice cubes.
- 02Add all ingredients.
- 03Shake hard for approximately 10–12 seconds.
- 04Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- 05Express a lemon peel over the surface and use it as garnish.
Build
- Glassware
- Coupe
- Ice
- None
- Garnish
- Expressed lemon peel
- Technique
- Single shake · Fine strain
Tasting notes
- Bittersweet Orange
- Fresh Citrus
- Light Botanicals
- Silky Texture
- Family
- Sour
Origin
- Era
- Contemporary
- Place
- —
The Aperol Sour is a contemporary application of the classic sour structure rather than a cocktail with one documented canonical inventor. Modern recipes combine Aperol with citrus, sweetness and egg white, often adding a small measure of gin to give the low-proof aperitif greater structure.
Bartender notes
- Aperol contributes both sweetness and bitterness, so additional syrup should remain restrained.
- The gin is deliberately secondary. It should strengthen the cocktail without turning it into a gin sour flavoured with Aperol.
- Fresh lemon sharpens the orange character and keeps the finish clean.
- Expressing citrus oil over the foam adds aroma before the first sip.
FOAMY WHITES Note
FOAMY WHITES gives the Aperol Sour a smooth, stable texture that softens the aperitif's bitterness without muting its citrus and herbal character.