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. Select is stronger, at 17.5%, so use about two-thirds of the measure. Campari is the usual stand-in: about as sweet, but roughly twice as strong (around 25% against Aperol's 11%) 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.
Red bitter liqueur (e.g. Campari)
Campari and Aperol carry about the same sugar, some 230–250 g per liter, so halving the measure also halves the sugar.
Aperitivo (the ritual/category)
The word also names the pre-dinner ritual and everything poured for it. A recipe asking for aperitivo means a light red bitter such as Aperol, not a vermouth or a sherry.
