The Aperol Spritz consists of three ingredients: Aperol (a coral-colored, bittersweet Italian liqueur), prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine) and a splash of club soda, all typically served in a large wine glass on ice. The cocktail dominated this year—and may have bumped rosé out of it’s spot as the reigning summer “it” drink—thanks to its citrus aroma, sweet-with-a-bite flavor and low ABV. Though summer is coming to an end, Austinites know that our warm weather likes to linger long into fall; keep the sunny vibes going with these fantastic Aperol Spritzes—and modified versions—at some of Austin’s best bars.
1. The Roosevelt Room
Photograph: Courtesy The Roosevelt Room
Co-owners Justin Lavenue and Dennis Gobis stick to the classic iteration, but as with many of their cocktails, the build and portions of the ingredients have been modified slightly to ensure that they've made the most balanced and refreshing Aperol Spritz possible.
2. Holy Roller
Photograph: Jen Keyser
As if Holy Roller’s all-day Sunday brunch wasn’t heavenly enough, they also serve Aperol Spritz pitchers. For a cool $25, get a large pitcher filled to the brim with iced Aperol and prosecco, topped off with sparkling soda water and fresh orange wedges.
3. Small Victory
Photograph: Mike Herschenfeld
Small Victory’s Aperol Spritz is served long in a tall collins glass with hand-cut large format ice and is topped with a sparkling wine, Franck Peillot Bugey Montagnieu Brut, for a French spin on the classic version which uses Italian prosecco.
4. The patio at Midnight Cowboy
Photograph: Courtesy Midnight Cowboy
Sit for a spell on Midnight Cowboy’s newly decked-out patio with an Aperol Spritz-Face—Aperol, sparkling wine and La Croix grapefruit sparkling water on crushed ice. The patio is now open for walk-in guests with it’s own simplified menu (sans cart service). Pro tip: Cocktails on the patio menu are half-off on Tuesdays (in addition to half-off bottles of wine on Sundays and half-off beer on Wednesdays).
5. Juniper
Photograph: Credit Juniper
East Austin’s Juniper offers contemporary Northern Italian fare inspired by Texas flavors. They offer a classic Aperol in addition to a handful of spritzes utilizing other Italian aperitivos and fortified wines. We like the Bicicletta (Italian for bicycle) which uses Juniper’s housemade aperitivo #1, white wine and a splash of Austin’s unofficial bubbly water, Topo Chico.
6. Nickel City
Photograph: Anastacia Uriegas
The no-frills charm of Nickel City rolls over into their Aperol Spritz. It’s served on draft in a double rocks glass over crushed ice and garnished with large orange wedges. And for $25, you can order a mini-pitcher for maximum refreshment.
7. Juliet Italian Kitchen
Photograph: Justin Rouhier
Sip on the classic version or opt for Juliet’s spin; sparkling rosé and mint add freshness and color to Juliet’s house Aperol Spritz. Get this cocktail and all other patio pounders for $5 during happy hour, which goes down every day from 3-7pm.
8. The Rattle Inn
Photograph: Courtesy The Rattle Inn
Downtown staple Rattle Inn has joined the Aperol frenzy with Aurelia's Abandon, a fruit-forward take on the classic spritz with a spicy ginger bite; it’s made with Aperol, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, strawberry preserves and Champagne. This one is served up (without ice) with a squeeze of orange oil in a champagne coupe.
9. Cane Rosso
Photograph: Jeff Amador
Along with a selection of pizza, pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts, Cane Rosso offers a full bar with specialty cocktails. Order the O.G. Aperol Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, club soda) or the Red 5, a fruitier version made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red grapefruit vodka, Aperol, tart lime juice and sparkling prosecco.
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