Cocktails with Aperitivo
Aperitivo is a light, bittersweet orange-red Italian aperitif, milder and lower-proof than red bitter liqueurs like Campari. At the lighter end the category sits below the EU’s 15% minimum for a liqueur, which is why those bottles are sold as bitter aperitifs rather than liqueurs.
ABV11–18%
Substitutes for Aperitivo
Aperol or Contratto Aperitif
Swaps one for one. These are the light red bitters the word usually means.
Select
Stronger, so use about two-thirds of the measure.
Campari and red bitter liqueurs
Roughly twice as strong and far more bitter. Start with half the measure and add about a barspoon of 2:1 syrup for every 30 ml replaced. The drink will still be stronger and more bitter.
