Massachusetts Aperol Spritz Is Favorite Cocktail But Lacks In Skill

Do you love a good cocktail? Of course you do, and with the new Massachusetts "to go" cocktail law, it's easier to put in an order to go.

Coffeeness.com has just named the most popular cocktails in each state, and in New England, the Aperol Spritz is a fan favorite, especially in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island.

While recently in Italy, I learned what an authentic Aperol Spritz tasted like because it was made in the same way as creators Luigi and Silvio Barbieri of Padua, Italy intended.

The apertivo is made with, prosecco, Aperol (a bitter apertivo), and soda water.  In fact, according to cocktail-society.com, the exact recipe is 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts apertivo, and 1 part soda water (the spritz part).

Another option is a Campari Spritz, made with a slightly more bitter apertivo called Campari, but in the same recipe combinations.

Upon returning from Italy, I continued to drink Aperol Spritzes back home in Massachusetts, but quickly learned they are not the same. Arriving back in the states , I went out for cocktails in Newburyport, Massachusetts and eagerly ordered an Aperol Spritz.

I thought it would taste the same, but per usual when you return from a place like Italy, I was sorely disappointed.  I was served a very watered down version with the recipe more like 3 parts soda water, 1 part Aperol, and 1 part prosecco.  It looked vaguely orange, was diluted and not good.  It was also triple the price I paid in Italy.

This happened at two different upscale bar/restaurants we went to.

It's so disheartening.  I drank Aperol and Campari spritzes before my trip and didn't know the difference.  Now that I do, I think I will just make my own at home.  It's not worth the disenchantment.