Envision yourself on a bright summery day, you are seated at a sophisticated bar and battling to choose between two amazing drinks, Campari and Aperol, both having unique properties to take you on a journey of flavor and taste. But the `big’ question that remains is: Campari vs. Aperol, which is better?
To understand them better, we first need to explore their key characteristics and the history behind them. As the saying goes, a drink is always better with bitters. In ancient times, bitters were used for medicinal purposes by the Egyptians, who stored medicinal herbs in large jars of wine. By 1712, they were prescribed for stomach ailments and hangovers.
Bitters contain herbs, dried fruits, spirits, and spices in a concentrated form. The bitter element in bitters comes from fruit peels, birch leaf, or lavender, which emit a herbal and spicy flavor. Later, bitters were introduced in cocktails to close out a drink, just like how spices are added to a punchbowl. Bitters can elevate and smooth out your drink, just as seasoning enhances a dish. A dash of bitters will go a long way.
The bitters market is experiencing significant growth due to increased demand for crafted cocktails and the growing interest in mixology. The wide array of bitters offers bartenders countless options for experimentation, and consumers are increasingly adventurous in their drink choices. This leads to increased demand for bitters in the food and beverage industry.
Bitters are divided into four types:
Cocktail Bitters
-To intensify the taste of cocktails
Aperitif Bitters
-Consumed to increase appetite
Digestif Bitters
- To be taken post-meal since they aid in digestion.
Medicinal Bitters
- Used to boost the immune system and provide various health benefits.
Bitters' growing popularity is driven by the luxurious feel they impart and their diverse uses and benefits in the wellness and food industries, contributing to the growth of the bitters market.
What is Aperol?
Understanding the unique properties of Campari and Aperol is essential to comparing them. Aperol was invented from Italy, and it is mildly alcoholic. The name Aperol comes from French, where 'apéritif' refers to an appetizer or before-meal drink. It gives a herbaceous taste with a tint of vanilla and orange. Some Aperols also feature notes of Gentian and Cinchona flowers or rhubarb. It is bright orange in color. It gained popularity in countries such as Austria, Italy, and Germany.
The shelf life of Aperol is limited due to its low alcohol content of only 11%, which can lead to spoilage. Thus, it needs to be refrigerated. But a bottle which is sealed can be refrigerated for an even longer period.
What is Amaro?
Amaro, meaning bitter, also hails from Italy. It is a concoction of grape brandy and a variety of citrus peel, spices, flowers, and aromatic bark. It is then sweetened using a sugar syrup and left to age for years. The texture is silky, sweet, yet bitter. Amaro can be used as an appetite enhancer or post-meal digestive. It can also be mixed with any cocktail. The alcohol content present in Amaro is between 16% - 40%. The shelf life can range between 4-5 years when opened. An unopened bottle can retain its quality indefinitely.
Our most loved variety of Amaro at The Epicurean Trader is,
Get transported to Sicily with Averna Amaro Siciliano. It is bittersweet with hints of licorice, orange, myrtle, rosemary, juniper berries and sage. The drink instantly stimulates the feeling of being on an island, giving you a sterling experience.
Amaro Montenegro is one of the finest Amaro in the world, combined by 40 botanicals including eucalyptus, orange peel and vanilla. It is the bartender's favorite in crafting world class cocktails. This bitter-sweet tasting Amaro was traditionally used as a digestif.
What is Campari?
Campari and Aperol are often likened to siblings due to their similarities. Like Aperol and Amaro, Campari is an alcoholic liqueur originating from Italy. It is an infusion of fruits like cascarilla and chinotto along with herbs, alcohol, and water. Campari can be identified by its dark red color. It is commonly used in cocktails with soda, grapefruit juice, and most often citrus juice.
A few differences between Campari vs Aperol include:
- Aperol has a vibrant orange tone, while Campari is dark red.
- The alcohol content in Aperol is 11% which is slightly less than Campari.
- Campari is more bitter than Aperol.
Similarities between Campari vs Aperol:
- Both the bitters are from Italy.
- They share a similar aroma and flavor profile.
- The two bitters have the same sugar content.
Key Differences Between Amaro and Aperol
- Amaro has a bittersweet flavor, while Aperol has a much milder bitterness.
- The Alcohol content in Amaro ranges between 16% – 40% and Aperol has only 11% alcohol.
- Amaro is light copper to black and Aperol has an orange shade.
- Amaro can be consumed neat, on the rocks, or along with coke-flavored soda or tonic water. Aperol is the main ingredient in the famous cocktail Aperitif Spritz. For an extra zing, Aperol pairs well with Daiquiris, Margaritas, lime, and grapefruit juice.
Here are few ways you can incorporate Amaro
Rum and Orange Cocktail Using Amaro:
This pleasantly bitter cocktail, the Rum and Orange cocktail, is made with Amaro Montenegro. The drink is warm and sweet at first taste but gives out a bitter taste as the drink progresses.
Recipe for a smashing cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons Rum
- 2 Tablespoons Amaro Montenegro
- 2 Tablespoons of Wine
- 1 tsp of Grapefruit Bitters
- A grapefruit peel
Steps:
- Take a cocktail mixer and place Amaro Montenegro, Wine, Rum, and Grapefruit Bitters into it.
- Stir until chilled for 30 seconds and pour into an ice-filled glass.
- Place the grapefruit peel on top and serve.
Aperol Spritz Using Aperol:
The Aperol Spritz is one of the most common cocktails found on bustling streets in Italy. This light mid-afternoon drink takes only two minutes to prepare and still offers complex flavors. The recipe calls for just three ingredients with no shaking and stirring. How easy can it be?
Recipe for a magical cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces of Prosecco
- 2 ounces of Aperol
- 1 ounce of Club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Steps:
- Take a wine glass filled with ice, pour in Prosecco, Aperol, and Club soda, and give it a nice stir.
- Garnish it with a slice of orange and your drink is fixed.
When to Choose Amaro vs. Aperol
Amaro is known as the ‘finale drink’ to a good meal. The aroma is wildly complex but the flavor is light. The most popular Fernet-Branca is quite often served after dinner. It is sometimes consumed as a sundowner drink or as a digestif. Amaro pairs well with the classic cheese, rich dark chocolates, a fatty cut of meat, seafood, and desserts. The bitterness in the drink helps cut down the sweetness of the dessert.
Craving a luxurious yet affordable drink? Then Aperol is the best. It is not as expensive and sweet as cocktails, but has the right amount of balance to pair it with any kind of food. Aperol can be enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal.
The drink pairs well with goat cheese, olives, parmesan, almonds, mozzarella cheese, bread and jam, oranges, grapes, strawberries, and popcorn.
From medicinal properties to digestive issues and delicious cocktails, bitters are a versatile solution. Choose from a variety of options and try every possible concoction to find your favorite. Bitters can be had either diluted or mixed with club sodas or any fruit juices as well. The natural ingredients present in it make you gulp it down without any guilt.
With every sip, you can travel around the world without leaving your seat, such is the experience every drink offers. Experience Italy and the summertime bustling Venice streets with Aperol Spritz. To lighten the mood at any dinner party, Amaro is the go-to.
For every occasion, The Epicurean Trader has you covered. Be it bitters, Campari, Aperol, or Amaro, you name it, we have it all.
What more are you waiting for?
Check out The Epicurean Trader to add a spin to your drink now!
Shop with us at:
https://theepicureantrader.com/collections/craft-spirits
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https://theepicureantrader.com/
