There’s nothing like a refreshing, flavorful drink to complement a meal or enjoy on a hot day, and there are a wide variety of delicious apéritifs to choose from. If you’re looking to create a Venetian classic summer cocktail, though, then you will be wondering: does Trader Joe’s sell Aperol?
Trader Joe’s does not currently stock Aperol in all of their stores, but they do offer multiple prosecco options that could be used with Aperol to make an Aperol Spritz, and they sometimes offer some decent alternatives.
Read ahead to find out more about this fabulous beverage, why it might not be on the shelves at Trader Joe’s, and where you can look to get your hands on some in the US.
What Is Aperol?
Before we talk about where you can buy it and why you might not see it at Trader Joe’s, we should first give a brief overview of what Aperol actually is.
Aperol is a brand of aperitif that has a distinct bittersweet flavor. It comes from Italy and is made with gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, as well as other ingredients.
It’s perhaps best known for its strong, vibrant orange color and as one of the primary components of the famous Aperol Spritz cocktail.
To check the current price and availability of Aperol, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Aperol Spritz Recipe:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add three parts Prosecco and 2 parts Aperol.
- Add a splash of soda water.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
The actual flavor of Aperol is often compared to grapefruits and bitter oranges, although there are a number of complex spice notes in the background as well. It is somewhat similar to Campari, although it is definitely sweeter and less herbal.
Originally, Aperol was made by the Barbieri brothers, Luigi and Silvio, from the city of Padua in Northern Italy. It has since been acquired by the Italian Campari Group. While most famous for their signature Campari product, they also make over 50 different brands of spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic aperitifs.
Is Aperol Available at Trader Joe’s?
Trader Joe’s always has a relatively interesting selection of different products on its shelves, but it can be hard to know what you will find before you arrive.
Unfortunately, Aperol is not currently available at the majority of Trader Joe’s stores, although they do sometimes have different stock options at different locations. It is also worth noting that their affiliations and brand partnerships do change over time, and they sometimes offer seasonal promotions.
This does mean that, if you’re looking to buy some Aperol for yourself, then you will probably need to search elsewhere. Trader Joe’s does sell some great Prosecco that can be used to make an Aperol Spritz, and you might find things like Campari and Triple Sec for limited time periods as well.
Why Is Aperol Not Always Available at Trader Joe’s?
There have definitely been occasions where Aperol has appeared on the shelves at Trader Joe’s in the past, but you are unlikely to find it in any of their stores at the moment. Why is that the case, though? A lot of it is to do with how Trader Joe’s chooses their stock and services each of their locations.
Trader Joe’s is very selective about the brands they offer, and they generally prefer to either sell exclusive products under their own labels or procure items directly from suppliers with alternative branding.
Sometimes they will bring in other branded products when demand is high, but this is often related to local demand. This means that individual locations might offer something that you won’t find in all of their stores.
It is pretty well known that Trader Joe’s does not always sell the same brands of wine and spirits in every location, so you might be lucky and find that Aperol does actually appear in your local store. State laws also have a big effect on what alcoholic beverages they offer.
In recent years, the Aperol Spritz cocktail has become increasingly popular, which could inspire individual stores to bring in some Aperol, particularly for the summer.
Alternative Aperol Options
If you want to make a Spritz or enjoy an aperitif then there are other ways to get your hands on the beverage – or something similar!
Target often stocks Aperol, as does Kroger, Costco, and many local liquor stores. You can also find Aperol at a lot of different online stores, like Total Wine, and there are three online retailers that are directly promoted by Aperol themselves: Reserve Bar, Drizly, and Minibar.
Of course, you could make your drinks and avoid Aperol entirely. Campari is a relatively common replacement that can be used to make a Campari Spritz, which is a little more bitter and complex, and a little less sweet.
There are also a number of companies that make similar aperitif drinks, including:
- Luxardo
- Cappelletti
- Lillet Blanc
- Contratti
- Select
- St. Germain
Or you could opt for another Italian classic that is full of refreshing sweetness and buy yourself some limoncello. It is amazing chilled, and you can even make it yourself with some vodka, lemon, sugar, and water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Alcohol Does Trader Joe’s Sell?
Trader Joe’s sells a number of different beers, wines, and spirits. The selection is not the same everywhere in the country, however, as liquor laws change state by state.
What is the closest thing to Aperol?
Campari is possibly the closest drink to Aperol that you will find on a lot of shelves, but it is less sweet and has a deeper orange flavor.
There are some specific Aperol alternatives that are harder to find, though, and Luxardo Aperitivo is probably the most similar.
Final Thoughts
So, does Trader Joe’s sell Aperol? Unfortunately, the Aperol aperitif is not commonly stocked in their stores, and it would be pretty unlikely to find any. With that being said, the brands of alcoholic beverages at each location do vary, so it is not impossible.
Trader Joe’s likes to bring in some brands for local, seasonal promotions as well, so Aperol might appear in the summer if you’re lucky.
You can buy prosecco at Trader Joe’s as one of the ingredients in a Spritz cocktail, and they sometimes offer Aperol alternatives like Campari too.