FYI: You can purchase both Amaro Nonino and Aperol at Total Wines

Well, as promised, another cocktail recipe containing Aperol from Mr. C., the resident mixologist. And since you will rarely hear about new alcoholic beverages that I enjoy, never-the-less, I love to pass on cocktail recipes that Mr. C. is positive some of you would enjoy. So, good luck. And may the force be with you!

While we were on our last trailer adventure, our dear friend and traveling companion Marsha recommended that Andy give this drink a try. And of course, his response was – why the heck not?! So, he did. And there was much rejoicing at Chez Carr that evening. Mainly because he found the drink to be delicious, but also because he was able to use some of the Aperol he had purchased after returning from our 2019 trip to the Czech Republic.

It was in Prague that Mr. C. first tasted an Aperol Spritz, famously touted as being a delightful, thirst quenching aperitivo. And really, how could he not try this drink for himself, since you couldn’t walk by an outdoor facility serving adult beverages without several parties sipping on these lovely light, orange-colored drinks. They were literally available everywhere.

Although Aperol was invented in Italy in 1919 and is especially favored to this day in the Veneto area of Italy, Aperol has crossed several borders in its quest to become the European liqueur of choice for aperitifs during the hot summer months. And since it’s still summer, I have included a recipe for the world famous (drum roll please) Aperol Spritz Cocktail. But enough about the spritz cocktail and back to the main reason for this post.

And since you probably wanted to know too, Sam Ross, NYC bartender and modern cocktail extraordinaire, developed the Paper Plane cocktail in 2008. He created it for the opening of The Violet Hour, which is an incredible bar in Chicago. Sam named the drink after the M.I.A. song, “Paper Planes”, that was super popular during the summer when the drink was created. (According to an article I read on the aflavorjournal.com site.)

So, if you, like Mr. C., sometimes have a hankering for a cocktail that is slightly bitter, slightly fruity, and very refreshing, then let me recommend you give this recipe a try. If you are a gin drinker like me, forget it! There is still nothing better than a thirst quenching gin and tonic!

So, on that happy thought, from both of us, peace and love to all.  

1 oz. bourbon

1 oz. amaro Nonino

1 oz. Aperol

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

Combine in cocktail shaker.  Shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass.

APEROL SPRITZ COCKTAIL

ice

3 parts prosecco  

2 parts Aperol  

1 part club soda  

1 orange slice, garnish

Place ice cubes in a stemmed balloon glass. Pour in the prosecco, Aperol, and club soda. Garnish the glass with the orange slice. Serve on very hot days.

 Sunset a couple of nights ago from our deck.