The Grilled Pineapple Aperol Tonic is the perfect cocktail for all your backyard barbeques. It’s made with honey grilled pineapple infused Aperol and tonic water.

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Grilled Pineapple Aperol Tonic

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I love Aperol in the summer and this low-ABV cocktail may be my favorite way to enjoy it. If you’re a fan of spritzes, I think you’ll love this one too. It’s just as refreshing as it’s spritzy cousin and is lower in alcohol.

This refreshing libation combines the smoky allure of grilled pineapple, the vibrant bitterness of Aperol, and the effervescence of tonic water.

What is Aperol?

Before diving into this simple cocktail, let’s talk about Aperol. Aperol is an Italian apertif with a vibrant orange red hue and is best known for the popular Aperol spritz. It’s made with rhubarb, and a blend of herbs and roots.

If you haven’t tried Aperol, you’re in for a treat. It has a bitter and sweet flavor with herbal and citrus notes. This refreshing liqueur has 11% alcohol by volume.

Ingredients for the Grilled Pineapple Aperol Tonic

Let’s dive into the ingredients for this drink.

• Aperol: The bitter Italian apertif is the perfect base for the cocktail. You can substitute Campari which will give you a stronger, more bitter drink.
• Pineapple: Grilling fresh pineapple adds a bright, tropical flavors and smoke to this drink. Purchasing a whole, ripe pineapple works best so you can cut it into rounds for grilling.
• Honey: Use a high quality honey to glaze the pineapple before grilling. My favorite is Local Hive Honey.
• Tonic Water: Choose a high quality tonic water to bring effervescence and additional bitterness to this drink. I used Betty Buzz Tonic Water.
• Orange slices, pineapple slice and pineapple frond: If you’re feeling fancy, garnish your drink with an orange slice, grilled pineapple slice and pineapple frond

How to Make The Grilled Pineapple Infused Aperol

Let’s begin by creating the soul of this drink—the Grilled Pineapple Infused Aperol.

Start by peeling the pineapple and slicing it into 1-inch rounds. Then place the pineapple rounds in a bowl and drizzle them with a tablespoon of honey. Give them a gentle toss to ensure that the honey evenly coats each slice. Let the pineapple sit for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Meanwhile, preheat the grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Once the grill is ready, place the pineapple rounds on the grates and let them cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. You should see visible grill marks.

After you grill the pineapple, cut it into cubes. Then, add the cubes to large glass container with a secure lid. Fill the container with Aperol, and ensure that the pineapple is fully submerged. Seal the container tightly and let it chill in the refrigerator for 2-7 days. The longer it rests, the more pronounced the grilled pineapple flavor will become.

When you reach the flavor that you desire, strain out the solids from the Aperol and reserve the liquid. Store the infusion in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

How to Make the Grilled Pineapple Aperol Tonic

After your infusion is complete, it’s time to make the Grilled Pineapple Aperol Tonic. This part is super simple.

Start with a beautiful wine or cocktail glass and fill it with ice. Next, add 1 1/2 ounces of the homemade Grilled Pineapple Infused Aperol and pour it into the cocktail glass. Then pour 4 ounces of chilled tonic water into the glass and stir to combine.

If you want to take the presentation to the next level, garnish your drink with a grilled pineapple slice, pineapple frond and orange slice.

More Aperol Cocktails to Enjoy

• Tropical Tangerine Aperol Spritz
• Frozen Aperol Spritz
• Winter Citrus Aperol Spritz

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