Summer Skies, a Bourbon Spritz, and a Fine Cigar

For our Sunday afternoon aperitivo, Colleen’s usual warm-weather choice is an Aperol Spritz. I’ll often join her in that selection, but this time I was looking for something a bit bolder while still retaining the refreshing character of the classic. Enter the Bourbon Aperol Spritz.

I already had the ingredients assembled for the Aperol Spritz, so all I needed to do was reach for the bourbon and adjust the proportions slightly.

Bourbon Aperol Spritz

• 1½ oz bourbon
• 1 oz Aperol
• 2 oz Prosecco
• 1 oz club soda
• Orange slice

Build the drink over ice, stir gently, and garnish with an orange slice.

The very first sip struck me as slightly out of balance, but the flavors quickly came together, perhaps helped by the slight dilution from the melting ice. With each sip, the drink became more harmonious and increasingly refreshing.

The finished cocktail is lighter and brighter than an Old Fashioned or even a Boulevardier, making it especially enjoyable during the summer months. The bourbon contributes notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak that are balanced nicely by Aperol’s bittersweet orange character and the effervescence of the Prosecco and club soda.

Naturally, I needed a cigar to accompany the spritz. Turning to the humidor, I selected an Oliva Serie V Melanio in the Robusto vitola.

This cigar was the last remaining from a box purchase and had rested loose in the humidor for more than two years. It showed a bit of damage to the foot and cap but was otherwise in excellent condition and performed flawlessly.

The Serie V Melanio proved an excellent companion to the cocktail. Its notes of cedar, cream, toasted nuts, and baking spices complemented the bourbon beautifully while allowing Aperol’s bittersweet orange character to remain prominent. The cigar’s creamy texture also paired especially well with the bourbon’s sweet vanilla and caramel notes.

As we sat and enjoyed our aperitivo, the skies alternated between bright sunshine and dark summer clouds, tempering the July heat. A brief shower finally arrived — lasting only a few minutes — but it cooled the air just enough to make the afternoon even more enjoyable. The Bourbon Spritz, the Oliva Serie V Melanio, and, of course, the light snacks alongside them all combined to make for a thoroughly pleasant afternoon on the porch.

Cheers!