What does an Aperol sour taste like?
An Aperol sour tastes like orange candy with a squeeze of lemon: bright, tangy and lightly bitter, usually with a soft, foamy top.
Aperol sour
tangy orange, light and foamy
An Aperol sour is Aperol shaken with lemon juice and a little sugar, often with egg white for a frothy cap. Aperol brings sweet orange with a gentle bitter edge, and the lemon turns it bright and zippy, like an orange creamsicle that grew up. It's low in alcohol, since Aperol is only about 11%, so some bars add a splash of gin, bourbon or pisco for backbone. With egg white it's silky and soft. Without, it's lighter and sharper. Either way, it's a great intro to bitter drinks.
Where you’ll see it
On aperitivo and brunch menus and at cocktail bars, served up in a coupe or over ice, often with a foam top and an orange twist. Check whether a base spirit is added.
Order it if you like an Aperol spritz but want something tangier with no bubbles.
Quick questions
- Does an Aperol sour have egg white?
- Often, yes, for the foamy top. Many bars also make it without, or use aquafaba (chickpea water) instead. Ask if it matters to you.
- Is an Aperol sour strong?
- Not usually. With Aperol alone it is lighter than most sours. If the bar adds gin or bourbon, it lands closer to a whiskey sour.