Looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite Italian aperitif? This Aperol Gin Cocktail is balanced, refreshing, and fun!
With the punch of flavor from the ginger beer balanced out by the bitter Aperol and another layer of taste brought by the gin and citrusy lime, this easy Aperol Gin Cocktail is packed with complex flavors.
As a mom managing her time with a passion for gourmet flavors, I love simple cocktails like these that are easily elevated by just a few ingredients that together make a perfectly balanced sip.
Aperol Gin Cocktail Ingredients
Here’s everything you need:
- Lime. One lime should give you enough juice for one cocktail.
- Gin. I used a London Dry but any will work! Mix up this Aperol gin cocktail with your own personal favorite gin!
- Aperol. For color and to balance the sweetness.
- Ginger Beer. For strong, spiced flavor and fizz.
Aperol Gin Cocktail Tips and Tricks
Use Fresh Lime
Using fresh lime goes a long way in this cocktail!
Of course, you can use squeezed lime juice in a pinch, but fresh lime will give you the most refreshing citrus flavor.
I like to squeeze my lime juice in first and then drop the whole lime into the drink before adding my ice and the rest of my ingredients.
Garnishing with a lime wedge will also add extra citrus aroma to each sip.
Consider a Copper Mug
The copper mug not only looks fun and keeps your drink icy cold, but can also enhance the flavors of your drink!
You’ll often see Moscow Mules, Dark and Stormy’s, and Mint Juleps served in copper mugs. Add this one to the list.
Copper mugs boast big claims of boosting flavor, by enhancing the bubbles in your ginger beer and reducing the acidity in your citrus to compliment the ginger beer.
Alcohol also oxidizes when it touches the copper sides, enhancing the flavors of your gin and Aperol, as well!
Ice, Ice Baby!
This Aperol cocktail is best served cold. It’s incredibly crisp and refreshing.
Make sure to add ice to your mug to keep it nice and cold as you sip. I love using crushed ice in this drink!
Use Fiery Ginger Beer
This cocktail is best with a super fiery ginger beer. Some brands have levels of spice (light, strong, and extra-strong). If given the chance, go for a bolder brew!
Tested Substitutions
While my favorite variation of this drink is in the recipe card below, it’s important to note that this cocktail is super versatile.
You can sub out any citrus for your lime (lemon, grapefruit, orange, etc.) and still get a delicious Aperol gin cocktail.
You can also opt for Campari instead of Aperol, or even sub in a couple of dashes of bitters.
If you don’t have ginger beer, ginger ale will work, it just won’t be quite as flavorful.
Why You Should Make this Aperol Gin Cocktail
- It’s super refreshing. Between the citrus and ice-cold ginger beer, this cocktail will make you say “ahhh” with every sip!
- It’s balanced. The Aperol balances the sweetness of the ginger beer, and the gin and citrus add another dimension of flavor.
- It’s different! Think mule, but amped up!
Aperol Gin Cocktail with Ginger Beer
Equipment
- Copper Mugs (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce lime juice (1 oz lime juice usually = juice from 1 lime)
- ½ cup ice
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- lime wedge and blood orange wedge for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into a copper mug (or another mug of your choice) and drop the rest of the lime into the mug.
- Add ice, gin, and Aperol and stir.
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge and blood orange wedge (optional). Enjoy cold.
Pro Tips
- Consider serving this cocktail in a copper mug to enhance the flavors of the ginger beer and lime and to keep your cocktail crisp and cold.
2 thoughts on “Aperol Gin Cocktail with Ginger Beer”
This is a wonderful tasting drink and looks beautiful!
I’m going to try the negroni next! Thanks for the tip about subbing maple syrup for sweet vermouth. I often use maple syrup instead of simple syrup for my old fashioned!!
Thank you so much, Ann. So glad you enjoyed it—I hope the negroni is just as much fun!!