The Aperol Spritz Is Finally Available By The Can — But Only in One Country

(Photo: Campari Group)

Italian spirits giant Campari Group is building on the success of the Aperol Spritz with a canned cocktail format.

On Monday, the company announced the debut of Aperol Spritz To Go, 250-milliliter versions of the drink canned at 5% ABV. If you’re keeping track of the numbers: Yes, that’s lower than you might expect. A standard Aperol Spritz typically arrives at between 9% and 11% ABV, making its new ready-to-drink counterpart both smaller and lighter than what would be found at a bar.

Made with Aperol liqueur, sparkling wine and soda water, the drinks are currently rolling out in the U.K. at a suggested retail price of £3 (approximately USD $4) per can. The brand plans to launch the product in other European markets by the end of the month — though no word yet on a possible debut in North America.

“Aperol Spritz has become a symbol of contemporary social style, and this new RTD format opens the door to new moments and places while staying true to the spirit that has defined Aperol for over a century,” Andrea Neri, managing director of House of Aperitifs at Campari Group, said in a statement.

“We are proud to bring that Aperol DNA and premium quality with the launch of the new format, heralding a new era for the beloved brand.”

The release has been a long time coming. Ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity over the past few years, particularly those made with vodka, tequila and aperitifs. Though Campari had previously released a bottled version of the Aperol Spritz sold at 9% ABV, a lower-proofed, canned format feels the obvious evolution from a trends perspective, especially with summer right around the corner.

Reviewing the product at launch, we found a lot to like in the cocktail’s bottled predecessor. It had just about everything you’d expect from a classic Aperol Spritz — an effervescent nose, refreshing sweet-and-bitter taste and a punch of licorice on the finish. If the brand can maintain that quality on a smaller scale, then Campari Group has another surefire hit on its hands.