This Hot Aperol is a warming cocktail with spices that will warm you up in the cold winter. If you love Aperol Spritz, this is its winter cousin that is a staple at European Christmas Markets and is easy to make at home.
Are you looking for Aperol cocktails to serve during the festive season? This wintry cocktail is a lovely slow sipper or nightcap. You could offer hot Aperol at your New Year’s Eve party this year or sip it while playing table games with the family while enjoying the holiday season. It is also a perfect winter drink for cold and flu season.
Hot Aperol, also known as Hot Spritz, is a warm cocktail that originated in Austria. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its most romantic Christmas markets, which begin in mid-November and continue until the end of the year. Market stalls featuring punch, hot Aperol or other cocktails attract customers looking for festive and heartwarming beverages.
What is hot Aperol
During hot days, people love Aperol spritz – a refreshing, fruity, and sparkling cocktail ideal for afternoon aperitivo. If you’re curious about the ingredients, an Aperol spritz is a timeless concoction made of Aperol (a citrusy, aromatic, and vibrantly orange liqueur), soda water, and prosecco. Although it’s a delightful and easy-to-make Aperol drink to craft at home, as the season changes, our cravings shift.
That’s where the recipe for Hot Aperol comes in. It’s like a warm and cozy cousin of the classic cocktail Aperol spritz, perfect for sipping on chilly evenings. The seasonal Hot Aperol is made with white wine, a splash of Aperol, fresh orange juice, honey, and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves. It’s a comforting winter spritz that captures the essence of the colder months and offers a delightful twist on the beloved Aperol spritz.”
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A yummy combination of a bit sweet and bitter Aperol with an orange slice and cinnamon stick creates a festive atmosphere.
- This drink feels like a warm hug on a cold day. It has spices like cinnamon and ginger that make you feel all cozy inside.
- You don’t need fancy ingredients. You probably already have most of the stuff in your pantry.
- This Hot Aperol isn’t just a tasty drink; it can also be a soothing natural remedy to combat sore throat.
Hot Aperol Ingredients
white wine
For this Hot Aperol recipe, I recommend to use a dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
Aperol
With its typical bittersweet orange flavor, this Italian aperitif is a key ingredient in this recipe. Aperol is often described as an Italian liqueur or a milder Campari cousin. Although it pairs well with white wine, it also goes well with spirits such as gin, whiskey, vodka, bourbon, tequila, martini or vermouth.
Fresh orange juice
While some recipes use lemon juice, I found a sweeter and milder orange juice a better choice. It complements the bittersweet Aperol, cinnamon, and clove in the recipe.
Honey
The best temperature to add honey to this cocktail is below 50C. If you add it to the hot Aperol, it will lose all its benefits and will act as a sweetener only. It poses antibacterial properties that aid sore throat if used wisely. You can also use lemon or orange syrup as a sweetener.
Cinnamon stick
you can use both cinnamon stick or cinnamon powder in this hot cocktail recipe
Cloves
I use this Christmas spice to highlight a festive season and to add a hint of spiciness. You can also add other fragrant mulling spices to the mixture, like star anise or cardamom pods.
Instructions to make hot Aperol Cocktail
First step: Prepare the spiced infusion.
In a small saucepan, pour the white wine and add cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Second step: simmer the mixture.
Place the saucepan over low heat and gently simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes. This will infuse the wine with the warming spices.
Third step: Warm the Aperol and orange juice.
Juice three oranges and warm them together with the Aperol over low heat in a separate saucepan. Be careful not to boil them; you just want them to be warm.
Fourth step: Combine the ingredients
Pour the warm Aperol and orange juice into the saucepan with the spiced white wine mixture. Add honey and stir well.
Fifth step: Serve the Hot Aperol Cocktail.
Strain the spices and pour the Aperol into heat-proof glasses or mugs. Garnish with a slice of orange or a twist of orange peel.
Variations to the seasonal Aperol spritz cousin
- Spiced Apple Hot Aperol: Replace the fresh orange juice with warm, freshly pressed apple cider or apple juice.
- Aperol Hot Toddy: Use dark rum instead of white wine for a richer, more robust flavor.
- Hot Aperol Tea: Replace the white wine with the brewed tea. Brew a strong black or herbal mix of tea.
What category of alcohol is Aperol?
Aperol is categorized as an Italian aperitif liqueur. It has a bittersweet and citrusy flavor profile and is often used in cocktails, including the popular Aperol Spritz, hot Aperol, Negroni Sbagliato, Aperl Sour, Aperol Margarita or Aperol Smash.
As aperitif, It is typically consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Aperol’s alcohol content is relatively low, around 11% to 13%, making it lighter than many other spirits.
What is Aperol similar to?
Aperol is similar to Campari as both are Italian liqueurs, but Aperol is sweeter, less bitter, and has a lower alcohol content, making it more suited for lighter and fruitier cocktails, whereas Campari is known for its stronger bitterness and is often used in classic cocktails like the Negroni.
More Drink Recipes
Hot Aperol Cocktail Recipe: Aperol hot toddy
This delicious Lavender Lemonade Cocktail with lavender simple syrup harmonizes perfectly with the botanical notes of gin.
Ingredients
- 300ml white wine
- 100ml Aperol
- 250 ml -> 2 to 3 oranges
- 2 tbsp honey
- Cinnamon stick
- 3 Cloves
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, pour the white wine and add cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Place the saucepan over low heat and gently simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes. This will infuse the wine with the warming spices.
- Warm the Aperol and orange juice over low heat in a separate saucepan. Be careful not to boil them; you just want them to be warm.
- Pour the warm Aperol and orange juice into the saucepan with the spiced white wine mixture. Add honey and stir well.
- Strain the spices and pour the Aperol into heat-proof glasses or mugs. Garnish with a slice of orange or a twist of orange peel.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 831Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 134gFiber: 12gSugar: 107gProtein: 5g
