The fruit of seven years` experimentation by Brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri in Padua, northeast Italy, Aperol is a popular bittersweet aperitif flavoured with aromatic ingredients such as rhubarb, gentian and cinchona. Aperol`s relatively low alcohol (around half that of a classic vermouth) and its distinctive summer-sunset colour have made it a runaway hit among more health-conscious modern drinkers. Of course the natural combination with Aperol is Prosecco to make the timeless Aperol Spritz (NB. try Champagne or Cava for a deluxe version). However other cocktail mixing options abound. try a similarly classic Aperol Sour or substitute Aperol for red vermouth to make a lighter version of a Negroni.