I really enjoy the European-style cocktail hour ritual. In a pre-COVID world, I would say that it is the perfect time to catch up with friends and be social after the day at work. Now, I more associate it with time I have set aside for myself at home. Usually, around 4:30 pm, I log off from work - there is so much satisfaction in closing my laptop for the day - and head to the kitchen. I make myself a cocktail (wine is for dinner time) and get a small snack. Sometimes it’s a tiny cheeseboard, sometimes it’s a few olives, or my true love, a tiny bowl of salty kettle chips. I look forward to this hour after work but before I have to start cooking dinner, typically enjoyed sitting out on my wonderful screened in patio. Most days I read or do some Italian coursework, or if the day has been particularly mentally draining, I watch a trashy TV show (RHOBH of course). This magical hour is where the Aperol Iced Tea was born.

If you are not familiar with Aperol, you are missing out! It’s a classic Italian bitter aperitif and most typically enjoyed in the form of an Aperol Spritz. I picked up my bottle at Trader Joe’s, but you can get it at almost any grocery or liquor store.

Ever since the summer started, I have kept a bottle of Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Iced Tea Concentrate in the fridge. I love iced tea (and it reminds me of Saturday adventures with my mom growing up) but I don’t drink a ton of it because I watch my caffeine pretty carefully, so the concentrate is perfect for me. It doesn’t take up a ton of space in the fridge and it keeps for a long time, so I can make a glass anytime. I use it in this recipe, but you can just as easily use brewed black iced tea instead of water.

Aperol Iced Tea

Ingredients

1 oz Aperol
1/2 oz of orange liquor (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or similar will work; I use this one)
1 oz Cold Brew Iced Tea Concentrate
Ice
6ish oz water
Half of an orange (Cara Cara’s are perfect, but any will do) plus one slice for garnish

To Make

Fill glass with ice
Add iced tea concentrate and water (or iced tea). Stir and taste. Adjust if needed
Use citrus press to juice the orange half into the glass. Stir.
Add Aperol and orange liquor and stir.
Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy al fresco!