Best aperitifs to try at a glance
- Best alternative for Aperol fans: Aperitif Select, £16.79
- Best amaro: Amaro Santoni, £24.95
- Best wine-based aperitif: El Bandarra Al Fresco Aperitif, £20.35
- Best for Bellini fans: These Days Venetian Spritz, £12.50
- Best simple classic: CampariSoda, £9.95
- Best versatile aperitif: Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, £29.94
- Best vegetal aperitif: Cynar, £16.95
- Best Campari alternative: Pampelle Ruby L’Apero, £19.95
- Best fruity aperitif: Sacred Rosehip Cup liqueur, £25.25
- Best citrus aperitif: Stellacello Pompelmo, £29.50
Best aperitifs to try 2023
Aperitivo Select
Best alternative for Aperol fans
Spritz like the Venetians do with this rich, bittersweet aperitif. The combination of bitter rhubarb, vibrant strawberry flavour and fresh juniper berries creates a complex drink with a fresh, citrussy finish. Just pour three parts prosecco and a splash of soda water over two parts Select in a glass with ice, and garnish with a green olive for the perfect Italian summer serve.
Amaro Santoni
Best amaro
This Tuscan dolce amaro aperitivo makes for an elegant summer aperitif. It's floral and herbaceous, with rhubarb and clove spice, and well-balanced bitterness. Drink with tonic water.
El Bandarra Al Fresco Aperitif
- Available from Master of Malt (£20.35), Amazon (£17.30), Fenwick (£21)
Best wine-based aperitif
Spanish vermouth brand El Bandarra also make this zesty aperitif, using Spanish grenache infused with Med botanicals. Refreshing and assertively bittersweet, with grapefruit and floral notes, try in an Americano co*cktail.
Available from:
£20.35
Amazon (£17.30)
Fenwick (£21)
These Days Venetian Spritz
- Available from These Days (£12.50)
Best for bellini fans
With almost a Campari flavour, this spritz has vanilla notes with subtle fizz. Serve with seafood dishes or nibbles. It has a low ABV of only 6%, too, so it’s easy to drink.
Available from:
These Days (£12.50)
Campari Soda
- Available from £9.95
Best simple classic
Campari have released an RTD version of their classic aperitivo. There are no surprises here, just a perfectly mixed Campari and soda (in winningly dinky glass bottles), designed to be served over ice with a wedge of orange.
Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£9.95, 5x9.8cl)
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Best versatile aperitif
This delicate Italian aperitif makes a great addition to your drinks trolley. Ingredients such as bergamot peel, aromatic cedro lemons and lavender give a citrussy and floral edge as well as a long finish to co*cktails. Combine with prosecco and a couple of olives for a refreshing summer spritz or serve with tonic.
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Cynar
Best vegetal aperitif
This classic bitter Italian aperitif is flavoured with artichokes, but don’t let that put you off. The end result is sultry, earthy and subtly vegetal. It works brilliantly in a spritz, swap it for Campari in a negroni or drink neat over ice.
Pampelle Ruby L’Apero
- Available from Waitrose (£21), Master of Malt (£19.95), The Whisky Exchange (£20.45)
Best Campari alternative
Corsican ruby red grapefruit steals the limelight in this bitter-sweet Italian aperitif. Combined with citrus peels (floral yuzu, fragrant cedrat and bitter Haitian oranges), eau de vie and natural botanicals, it makes a wonderfully tart and aromatic alternative to Campari in spritzes and negronis. Mix with prosecco and a slice of ruby red grapefruit for a refreshing spritz.
Available from:
Waitrose (£21)
Master of Malt (£19.95)
The Whisky Exchange (£20.45)
Sacred Rosehip Cup Liqueur
Best fruity aperitif
Made with rosehips, rhubarb, orange and ginger, this has a restrained bitterness and earthiness, and sweet fruitiness. Try mixing with sweet vermouth and gin for an English twist on a negroni.
Stellacello Pompelmo
- Available from Yield Natural Wine Shop (£29.50)
Best citrus aperitif
This grapefruit liqueur has a heady sweet citrus nose and rounded, subtly tart flavours. Try adding a splash to a glass of crisp sparkling wine.
Available from:
Yield Natural Wine Shop (£29.50)
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