Aperitif – Bitter Orange Liqueur

Aperitivo Bitter Orange Liqueur from the Volcanic Eifel

The Aperitivo Bitter Orange Liqueur from Windspiel is a 16 percent ABV aperitif liqueur from the Volcanic Eifel. Ripe bitter orange meets tart grapefruit and the sweetness of Mediterranean citrus fruits. Not a loud spritz syrup, but a liqueur with character from our own distillery.

Aperitivo Bitter Orange Liqueur brings the Italian aperitif feeling to your glass, crafted by the Windspiel distillery in the Volcanic Eifel. Bitter orange and grapefruit set the tone, while a fine sweetness from Mediterranean citrus fruits balances out the bitterness. At 16 percent, it remains light enough for the early evening, an aperitif for social hours without any rush. Let yourself be captivated by the play of colors in your glass.

Bitter orange, grapefruit, a sunset in a glass

In the glass, the Aperitivo glows a deep red; the nose detects ripe bitter orange, followed by the fruity, tart scent of grapefruit.

On the palate, it is bitter, fruity, and light. The tartness of the orange peel comes first, with the sweetness of Mediterranean fruits following as a soft counterpart, while a delicate note of bitter almond holds both sides together. This is what an aperitif tastes like when it derives its fruit from real oranges rather than a syrup bottle.

The most beautiful spectacle occurs when pouring. If you top it with sparkling water or sparkling wine, the deep red transforms into an orange-red glow, like a sunset over the Eifel maars. This is how the evening begins.

Cold, sparkling, with an orange slice

As a spritz, the bitter orange liqueur goes into the glass—ice-cold, with plenty of ice and a splash of sparkling water.

Three parts sparkling non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling wine, two parts Aperitivo, a splash of soda, and a slice of orange, and your pre-meal aperitif is ready. Served neat over ice, it shows its tart side; in cocktails, it provides a fruity-bitter base note.

It pairs just as well with a salty appetizer as it does with olives, an antipasti platter, or a piece of flavorful cheese. In summer, it also works well as an aperitif punch, with cold sparkling wine, ice cubes, and a few orange slices in the carafe. If you love citrus, place it next to the Pink Grapefruit Gin from the same brand; the two get along well.

Liqueur from Germany’s potato gin distillery

Behind the Aperitivo is the Windspiel distillery, known for Germany's first gin made from potatoes grown in volcanic soil.

In 2008, Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker discovered the Weilerhof farm in the quiet Volcanic Eifel and established their distillery there in 2014. Honest products and a life close to nature were their driving forces from the beginning, Sandra and Denis recall of their days on the farm. The two swear by their own fine distillate made from regional potatoes, which a farmer friend grows for them, refining it step by step into gin and liqueur.

The name alludes to Frederick the Great, his 1746 potato decree, and his beloved greyhounds (Windspiel). From this legacy grows a young distillery that has also carried this Aperitivo since 2024, carefully bottled in 0.5-liter bottles. Well done.

Three parts sparkling water, two parts Aperitivo

A large wine glass is its home—well-chilled, with plenty of ice and an orange slice. Three parts sparkling water, two parts Aperitivo; that's all the spritz needs. Once opened, it keeps for many weeks if stored in a cool, dark place, so you can take your time throughout the summer. You can find the entire range from the Windspiel distillery with us, from gin to non-alcoholic options.