Looking for a fun cocktail to serve to friends? If you are a gin lover, this cocktail is for you! This Aperol Gin Cocktail is a refreshing drink filled with gin, cucumber and lime.
If you are local to Minneapolis-St. Paul and have been lucky enough to go to The Dining Studio with Philip Dorwart you know how good it is. In addition to the fabulous food, Philip always has great cocktails and one of my favorites is this Aperol Gin Cocktail. It's full of fresh spring flavors, and I can guarantee that you have never had a combo like it before.
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What makes this Aperol Gin Cocktail so special?
For starters, it has Aperol in it, an Italian aperitif, that is very similar in taste to Campari but with half the alcohol. Aperol has a bit of 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. Which is why it's the perfect addition to this Aperol Gin Cocktail.
What other ingredients do I need to make this Aperol Cocktail?
Not a lot. Grab some gin, simple syrup, cucumber slices, and fresh lime juice, and you are on your way to creating a winning cocktail.
Does it matter what kind of gin I use in this cocktail?
We always recommend using your favorite. This particular drink pairs really well with Hendrick's Gin, but believe me, I've made it with Tanqueray and Bombay gins as well! Use what you love and your drink will be fabulous!
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Absolutely! These Aperol Gin cocktails are the perfect addition to your spring 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.
Drinks for a crowd just got easy.
So if you are looking for a new spring cocktail, look no further. This one is a winner and oh, so pretty to boot!
What bar tools do I need to make this cocktail?
- A Muddler. A muddler can be used to crush herbs to release their oils as well as squeeze juice from fruit to extract the maximum flavor possible. And this isn't the only drink you can use it for, it's impossible to make a good mojito without one. Trust us.
- Cocktail Shaker: All shakers are not created equal, and we love this OXO Cocktail Shaker. It’s easy to use and keeps cocktails cold. Plus with the button dispenser, you don’t need to worry about leaks and spills. Anything that keeps clean up to a minimum is a win in our book
- A hand held juicer: Fresh lime juice takes ordinary cocktails and transform them into amazing cocktails. A Hand Held Juicer does the heavy lifting for you and guarantees to keep your cocktails free from seeds. A great tool for a well-stocked home bar.
What other cocktails can I make with Aperol?
Don't worry! Now that you have invested in that bright orange bottle of liquor we have some options for you to use it up. For all of you tequila fans, these Grapefruit Aperol Cocktails are crazy delicious. Tequila not your thing? Mix up a batch of these Bourbon Aperol Cocktails for your bourbon-loving friends.
And remember, there's no wrong answer. All are tasty options!
Cheers!
Aperol Gin Cocktail
Let the flavors of spring shine through in this Aperol GIn Cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 slices cumcumber
- 6 ounces Hendrick's Gin
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- splash of club soda
- lime for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle the cucumber in the bottom of a shaker. Add Aperol, gin, lime juice, and 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
6 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 0g
Ah! I think I actually have every single one of these ingredients at home! I'm not usually a gin drinker but mixed with some aperol and lime, sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing!
I used fairly Total Wine's house gin, Hadley & Sons and substituted their private label Aperix a cheaper substitute for Aperol--tastes wonderful and probably half the cost of the brands listed in the recipe. Hendricks gin would taste better, but it's spendy.
If it has gin, I'm going to love it. And that name is amazing.
Used 1/2 gin and 1/2 vodka. Best Aperol drink we’ve had. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for the great feedback. So happy you enjoyed it! Cheers!
This is summer in a glass!
A bit of Italy for gin lovers.
I was looking for a drink to use our leftover Aperol. Instead I found our new goto drink. We will be buying more Aperol and making plenty of simple syrup to have this one regularly for the next few weeks because the simple syrup and the cucumber balance the Aperol perfectly,
I'm so happy you love it! It is one of my favorites in the spring! Cheers!
I came up with this cocktail when I was the beverage manager at Create Catering. It's called the Hopeful Spinster. Make sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice (it makes a HUGE difference) and the garnish was originally a cucumber wheel. Glad it's being well-received.
We love this cocktail! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! And you are right, the fresh lime juice makes all the difference in the world...Cheers!
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.
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!
This was a great recipe! Just made it!