Campari’s iconic aperitivo brand, Aperol—the vibrant Italian liqueur created by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri in 1919—is ushering in the holidays with its new Aperolidays campaign, fronted by actress Nina Dobrev of The Vampire Diaries fame.
The limited-edition merch drop is as playful as the spirit itself: think Christmas jumpers, festive baubles, earmuffs, and citrus-inspired gloves designed to keep you “Aperol-ing” straight through winter.
The campaign encourages us to gather, connect, and Spritz our way through the colder months, a reminder that Aperol is far more than a summer fling. To prove the point, the brand has released a holiday cocktail kit (via Cocktail Courier in the U.S.), complete with Aperol, Prosecco, soda water, fresh oranges, glassware, and a few cheerful extras—including those themed earmuffs and the official ornament.
“All-year-round sipping is part of the Aperol experience,” says Allison Varone, head of marketing at Campari America. “Aperolidays brings that warmth and togetherness to life in true Italian style.”
Aperol’s 11% ABV formula remains a bittersweet blend of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona—a recipe perfected in Padua over seven years. Even its name nods to “apéro,” the French slang for aperitif.
The beloved Aperol Spritz—Aperol, Prosecco, soda water, ice, and an orange slice—was born in the 1950s, though its roots trail further back. Some insist the drink has more Austrian DNA than Italian. After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, northern Italy came under Austrian rule; soldiers accustomed to lighter wines diluted the robust Italian varietals with water to create the “ein Spritzer.” When the regions regained independence, the soldiers left, but their spritzing habits remained. Still water eventually gave way to soda, and by the early 20th century, liqueurs replaced wine altogether. The Barbieri brothers simply perfected what history had already set in motion.
Aperol’s merch has long leaned toward sunshine: beach pillows, ice cube trays, deck chairs, tennis dresses ($65), duffle bags, bikinis ($70), one-piece swimsuits ($58), T-shirts, swim trunks, sun hats, bandannas, beanies, backpacks, shoe charms, parasols, BBQ tongs—even a $680 Aperol garden bench.
But this year, winter gets its moment.
The Aperol Spritz Winter Collection (available December 1) pairs seasonal charm with a wink of humor: a Fair Isle–style sweater ($70), puff hoodie, crewnecks, scarf, reversible puffer vest, quarter zip, earmuffs, raincoat, and umbrella.
The standout piece, however, is the brand’s most intriguing accessory yet: gloves made partially from recycled orange peel. Crafted in Italy with Ohoskin’s innovative leather alternative—which blends regenerated materials with biopolymers from oranges—the gloves feature a silk lining and a textured grip engineered to keep your Spritz secure. They’re available for £30 ($39) and include a £15 credit redeemable for a Winter Spritz at participating Young’s pubs in the UK.
“A little cold shouldn’t come between you and a Spritz,” says Aperol’s UK brand ambassador Loris Contro. “These gloves are our way of saying, ‘If the sun’s down, don’t put the Spritz down.’”
And yes—Aperol-orange sunglasses remain stylish all year long.
