Aperol Cosmos
Updated: Mar 31, 2020
The perfect Spring time cocktail has arrived: the Aperol Cosmo!
Sister to my favorite edition of an Aperol drink, the Aperol Spritz, I wanted to try something new during the quarantine days.
First I'd like to tackle the most common question: what is Aperol?
It's an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, among other ingredients. In more common words, it's a concentrated liquor that is low in alcohol but packs a potent taste (so use sparingly).
Once mixed with the alcohol/ mixers of choice the taste is similar to oranges. This shouldn't come as a surprise since the color itself is a vibrant hue of blood orange to begin with. Now another common bitter used widely in Europe for Spring and Summer drinks is Campari - Campari is extremely bitter and is probably my least favorite bitter cordial out there. Aperol however is a complete 180 opposite of its similar looking Campari neighbor.
So what do you need to make your own Aperol Cosmo?

Tools:
- Shaker glass
- Jigger (make sure it measures 1 and 1/2 oz pours)
- Martini or Coupe glasses (any really will do but I love a good drink glass)
- 2 oz Vodka (I used local distiller Mr. Tom's - it's certified sugar free and gluten free!)
- 1/2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Ice
I love the comeback the coupe glasses are having. The coupe glass was once the original design of the champagne flute. However it was discovered that champagne does best with a small surface area (this is in order to preserve the carbonation) so hence how we all understand the champagne flute design is today.
Directions:
1. Fill shaker cup with ice half way
2. Pour 2 oz Vodka into cup
3. Pour 1 oz fresh lime juice
4. Add 1/2 oz Aperol
5. Shake vigorously until shaker is chilled (10-20 seconds)
6. Pour into glass of choice
7. Lightly dust rim with lime wedge or peel
8. Garnish and Enjoy!

Stay tuned for more Grazing Haus Happy Hour recipes coming soon!