Put simply, the Aperol Spritz cocktail is the darling of the aperitivo world. Designed as an appetite-whetting beverage to be consumed before dinner, the bittersweet flavour of the base alcohol, elevated by aromatic botanicals and a more-than-palatable alcohol content made it the ideal pre-dinner sipper. But in a way, it’s nigh-on impossible to explain the cocktail without delving into the question, what is Aperol? Remarkably, the answer goes all the way back to the old country, according to Stefano Catino, owner of Australia’s top cocktail bar Maybe Sammy Sydney and a spirits expert in his own right.

The long-held tradition of aperitivo hour, whereby Italians mark the end of the working day with a low-alcohol palate cleanser, is designed to open the senses and unwind, making it an ideal environment for an Aperol Spritz. Best of all, the simple nature of the Aperol Spritz cocktail lends itself well to the home-body mixologist. With only three ingredients involved in the traditional recipe, simplicity is the name of the game, but balance is key.

According to the Maybe Sammy Sydney owner and cocktail expert, here is what you need to make the ultimate Aperol Spritz cocktail:

When it comes to cocktail-making, the barroom can be intimidating. Watching the masterful work of Catino and his Maybe Sammy counterparts is truly dazzling, but for the at-home aficionado, the Aperol Spritz recipe may be more your pace.

While the Aperol Spritz cocktail does make for the perfect introduction to the iconic flavours of Italy, Catino explains there’s more you can do. In fact, one of the most popular cocktails at his venue, which was recently voted the best cocktail bar in Australia is the Aperol Sour. Here is what you need to make Catino’s devilish creation: