Together Since 1919
Aperol has been part of Italian aperitivo culture for more than a century, growing from a family tradition into a globally recognized symbol of friendship, celebration, and relaxed social moments. Its story began in 1919, when brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri introduced their creation after years of careful experimentation within their father’s liqueur business. Their dedication resulted in a distinctive aperitivo with a bright character and an unmistakable place in Italian drinking culture.
During the years that followed its creation, Aperol gradually became a familiar favorite throughout Italy. Its popularity grew particularly strongly in the cafés of Padua and the traditional bars of Venice, where people gathered to enjoy conversation, good company, and the simple pleasure of sharing an aperitivo. These everyday social settings helped establish Aperol as more than a drink. It became closely associated with conviviality and the relaxed rhythm of Italian life.
By the 1950s, a new chapter began with the emergence of the Aperol Spritz. The combination that would eventually become famous around the world brought together Aperol, sparkling wine, and soda, creating a refreshing cocktail perfectly suited to leisurely social occasions. Around the same period, Aperol also entered the world of television advertising through Il Carosello, helping introduce its distinctive personality to an even wider audience.
The following decades marked an important transformation for the brand. During the 1980s and 1990s, Aperol expanded beyond its roots in Veneto and began attracting attention from a broader international audience. Its recognizable style, vibrant color, and connection with Italian aperitivo culture allowed it to develop a more cosmopolitan identity while retaining the spirit of its origins.
A major period of growth followed the acquisition of Aperol by Gruppo Campari. With increased international investment and ambitious communication campaigns, Aperol Spritz became increasingly visible beyond Italy. Advertising, music, art, fashion, and contemporary lifestyle culture all played a role in shaping the brand’s modern identity. Aperol increasingly positioned the aperitivo as an experience centered on togetherness rather than simply a particular beverage.
During the 2000s and 2010s, the Aperol Spritz phenomenon continued to expand rapidly. Its distinctive orange color became recognizable in cities and social spaces around the world, while large-scale events helped transform the cocktail into a cultural symbol of carefree enjoyment. From intimate gatherings to lively town squares, the atmosphere surrounding Aperol Spritz emphasized openness, spontaneity, conversation, and shared experiences.
More than one hundred years after its creation, Aperol continues to represent the art of enjoying the moment with others. Its journey from a family liqueur company in Italy to an international aperitivo icon reflects changing generations, evolving lifestyles, and an enduring appreciation for connection. Whether enjoyed during a sunny afternoon, before dinner, or while meeting friends after a long day, the Aperol moment remains rooted in the pleasure of being together.
Aperol’s advertising history has always reflected this philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on the drink itself, its campaigns capture the atmosphere surrounding aperitivo: warm sunlight, lively music, easy conversation, clinking ice, colorful glasses, and friends coming together without needing a special reason. The preparation becomes part of the experience, from pouring and stirring to watching the vibrant orange color settle into the glass.
That spirit continues to define Aperol today. The brand celebrates those spontaneous occasions when people pause, gather, laugh, and create memories together. Its enduring appeal comes from the idea that meaningful moments do not always need elaborate plans. Sometimes they begin with an invitation to sit down, share a drink, and enjoy the company of people who matter.
From its beginnings in 1919 to its place on tables and terraces around the world, Aperol has remained closely connected to the joy of sharing. More than a century of history has transformed a carefully crafted Italian aperitivo into a global expression of friendship, optimism, and everyday celebration. The story continues wherever people raise a glass, enjoy the atmosphere, and make time for one another.