Aperol & the Spritz
/Aperol, arguably Italy’s most loved beverage, was created by two brothers, Silvio and Luigi Barbieri in 1919. After seven years of experimenting with ingredients, they introduced their new apertivo at the International Trade Fair in Padova, a city in the Veneto in Northern Italy.
The low-alcohol (11%), slightly bitter beverage caught on in Venice, where it became a ritual during aperitivo hour, paired with the popular cicchetti at the island city’s popular bacarí (small bars).
Aperol’s distinctive bright orange color, fresh orange flavor and very light bitterness are the perfect vehicle for the spritz, which was reportedly introduced by Austrians who occupied Venice in the late 19th century. The building of a classic Italian spritz is open to interpretation with recipes as varied as the bar you happen to visit, but it always features a bitter spirit.
However, Aperol’s recipe for the Aperol Spritz is as simple as 3-2-1. Add ice to a glass, add three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part sparkling water. Stir lightly and garnish with an orange slice.
While most liquor companies keep their recipes a closely guarded secret (like Campari), Aperol is known to be made with bitter and sweet oranges, gentian and rhubarb, among other secret ingredients.
If you are looking for other drinks made with Aperol, try a Paper Plane, made with equal parts of Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino Quintessentia and fresh lemon juice. The High Five was created by a Death & Co. bartender in 2010 and is a riff on the Hemingway daquiri. It is made with gin, Aperol, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.
You can order a single Aperol Spritz at all M’tucci’s or get a pitcher of them for the table. M’tucci’s Aperol Spritz is only $7 during the late night Happy Hour, which begins at 8:00, M-F. It’s not exactly apertivo hour, but a spritz of any kind is refreshing at any time.
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Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Beef & Goat Cheese Ravioli - Beef Tips. Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Onions, Local Tarragon Cream Sauce, Tucumcari Feta, Parsley Oil $27
8 oz. Beef Tenderloin - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $33
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Braised Sackett Farms Pulled Pork Shoulder - Smoked Peach Shrub Glaze, Creamy Polenta, Peach & Spinach Slaw $25
Weekend Cocktail
Blowing Raspberries - M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado, Montenegro Amaro, Raspberry Simple Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Egg White
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz. Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29
Braised M’tucci’s Sausage & Polenta - Caramelized Onions, Roasted Red Peppers, Mascarpone Creamy Polenta, Red Wine Marinara $23
Weekend Cocktail
The Pricess Yum Yum - Empress Elderflower gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Prosecco float, Yuzu Sorbetto ball
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
House made Linguiça Sausage & Risotto - Creamy Risotto with Broccolini, Smoked Onion & Tomato Mostarda, Jalapeño Pickled Garlic Scapes $21
Pan-Seared Ono - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
8 oz. Picaña Steak - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $33
Weekend Cocktail
Watermelon Firework - Piggyback Bourbon, Watermelon Juice, Fresh Lemon Juice, Jalapeño Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Roasted Calabrian Chile Risotto - Cacio e Pepe Risotto, Lightly Pickled Green Beans, Oven Roasted Tomatoes, Local Micro Greens $21
Pan-Seared Grouper - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $35
Weekend Cocktail
Nightmare on peach Street - Peach-Infused Weller’s Bourbon, Peach Puree, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
Live Music for July & August
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
7/19 Javier Ortega
7/21 RJ Perez
7/24 Justin Nuñez
7/28 Robb Janov
7/31 Cali Shaw
8/4 Justin Nuñez
8/7 RJ Perez
8/11 Nathan Fox
8/14 Robb Janov
8/18 Johnny Lloyd
8/21 Shane Wallin
8/25 RJ Perez
8/28 Eryn Bent
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
7/19 Ceekay Jones
7/25 Myles Chavez
7/26 Maiya Dominguez
8/1 RJ Perez
8/2 Gilbert Uribe
8/8 Shane Wallin
8/9 Cali Shaw
8/15 Justin Nuñez
8/16 Melissa Rios
8/22 Nathan Fox
8/23 RJ Perez
8/29 Robb Janov
8/30 Myles Chavez
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
7/19 Robb Janov
7/25 Shane Wallin
7/26 Chris Dracup
8/1 Gilbert Uribe
8/2Melissa Rios
8/8 Robb Janov
8/9 Javier Ortega
8/15 Maiya Dominguez
8/16 Eryn Bent
8/22 Shane Wallin
8/23 Myles Chavez
8/29 Justin Nuñez
8/30 Chessa Peak
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
