This Aperol Gin Cocktail is a refreshing sipper filled with gin, cucumber, lime, and a splash of Aperol for that gorgeous color. This easy to make drink is not only eye-catching but only uses 5 ingredients and can be made in 5 minutes!
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Aperol doesn't get the love it deserves. If you are looking for a new way to use Aperol, we have one of the best drinks for you.
This beautiful Aperol Gin Cocktail will quickly become your new go-to drink. It's filled with fresh lime and cucumber which pairs perfectly with the bitter notes of Aperol. It's our favorite signature cocktail for any gathering.
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Why you will love this cocktail
It's another great way to drink Aperol. Do you have an opened bottle of Aperol around from making our Aperol Sour? Try this drink! It's the perfect cocktail if you are exploring other ways to use Aperol besides the classic Aperol Spritz.
It's a great twist on a traditional gin and tonic. Gin and Aperol are a beautiful match! The floral notes of a good gin paired with the bitterness of Aperol balance each other beautifully.
It's easy to drink. Cucumber and lime juice help balance the tartness of the Aperol and make it super refreshing. Plus the color is seriously eye-catching.
Ingredients
As with most of our cocktails, the ingredient list is short. When you have a recipe with so few things in it, be sure you use the highest quality you can!
Ingredient Notes:
- Gin: This particular Aperol cocktail pairs really well with Hendrick's Gin because of its cucumber undertones, however, I've made it with both Tanqueray and Bombay gins, too. The flavor of the gin shines through so be sure to use your favorite.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is a must for the best cocktails. Bottled juice contains preservatives that alter the taste.
- Club Soda: The quality of your mixer makes a big difference. We love to use Q Club Soda.
Instructions
Even though there are a few steps involved in this Aperol Gin Cocktail, it is definitely worth the time involved.
Muddle the cucumber slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and add the gin.
Add the Aperol and lime juice.
Add the simple syrup and then shake to combine.
Strain into low ball glasses filled with ice and top with club soda.
FAQs
Aperol is an Italian aperitif that is very similar in taste to Campari but with half the alcohol.
It has a bitter flavor, so it's not something most people drink straight up or on the rocks. But the low alcohol content of Aperol makes it the perfect mixer for cocktails.
A muddler is a great bar tool to have on hand. To get the best results press the muddler down on the cut cucumber slices and twist at the same time to release the juices. Don't have a muddler? You can use a wooden spoon instead!
We always recommend using your favorite spirit in any drink recipe. This particular cocktail pairs really well with Hendrick's Gin, but I've made it with Tanqueray and Bombay gins as well.
Absolutely! These Aperol Gin cocktails are the perfect addition to your party menu. Prep them ahead of time, muddle the cucumber, and serve as a batch cocktail. Just wait to add the club soda before serving so they stay bubbly.
Expert tips for great cocktails
✔️ A muddler is a vital bar tool to have on hand when making this cocktail. It is the best way to smush the cucumber and release the juices. Don't have one on hand? Use the end of a wooden spoon as a substitute.
✔️ Use a cocktail strainer. It's the best way to keep the seeds in the shaker and out of your drink.
✔️ Use fresh lime juice. Fresh juice makes the best cocktails. Period. Even though it doesn't use a lot of juice, freshly squeezed lime juice is the difference between a good cocktail and a great one.
✔️ Shake the cocktail. All cocktails taste better when they are properly chilled. Shaking with ice in the cocktail shaker not only combines the contents, it also chills them.
More Colorful Drinks
Here are more of our favorite cocktails. New more ideas? Check out all of our Liqueur Drinks.
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Recipe
Aperol Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 slices cucumber
- 3 ounces Gin
- 1 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounces lime juice
- 1 ounces simple syrup
- splash of club soda
- lime for garnish
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Instructions
- Muddle the cucumber in the bottom of a shaker.2 slices cucumber
- Add Aperol, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.3 ounces Gin, 1 ounces Aperol, 1 ounces lime juice, 1 ounces simple syrup
- Shake vigorously to combine.
- Strain into 2 low ball glasses filled with ice.
- Top each glass with a splash of club soda, garnish with a lime slice and serve.splash of club soda, lime for garnish
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
James Burt says
Amazing recipe
Dave D. says
This was a great recipe! Just made it!
Nancy says
We have made this several times now and each time we enjoy them more. Very refreshing and different and fun to make! Totally worth the effort! You are in for a treat!
Jon says
This evening, I thought to myself, “I bet gin and Aperol would go great together. There must be some good recipes out there.” This is the first one I came across, and it sounded like a good start. I am drinking it right now, and it is great. Aperol gives off notes of grapefruit for me, so this drink seems reminiscent of a fruitier Salty Dog. That being said, I used only half of the simple syrup called for in this recipe, and even then I found it to be too sweet. Perhaps it’s meant to balance out the bitterness and tartness from the other ingredients, but it sticks out too much for me. I will cut it in half again next time. That is certainly a matter of preference though. Thank you for this recipe. I’m sure I’ll be making quite a few, and look forward to experimenting with some variations.