Campari and Aperol, the IPAs of Italian liqueurs

Two very Italian beverages are seen consumed every evening between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  They are traditionally served on the rocks, with a splash of soda, or as a Spritz, meaning Prosecco is added, Italy's celebrated sparkling white wine.

Campari Soda, always with a wedge of citrus.  In Venice, they serve it with an olive.

Why are Campari and Aperol the IPAs of Italian liqueur? Because they are oh so bitter, just like an India Pale Ale beer.  I wish it were known how many IBUs are in each aperitif (IBU is a beer brewing acronym for International Bitterness Units) because I am confident they are up there.

They are two very similar beverages.  Both are bittersweet. Both taste surprisingly like the other. Both of their recipes use the juice of the chinotto, a citrus fruit resembling an orange typically grown in the southern half of Italy and known to be bitter or sour. Though their recipes are closely held secrets, they likely use a lot of the same herbs and spices during its production. They have two main differences, though.

• Campari has 22% alcohol.
• Aperol has 11% alcohol.

• Campari is cherry red colored.
• Aperol is candy orange colored.

Everything else is similar about them. If you are a fan of bitter beverages, give Campari or Aperol a try.  It's a VASGO favorite.