In line with the traditional Italian style, the spirit centers around major flavor components: bitterness from gentian root and sweetness from cane sugar. Citrus is the third major component, so we add distilled coriander and grapefruit peels to give Leopold Bros. Aperitivo a bright, citrus aroma. We mix these components with a variety of fragrant flowering botanicals, including hyssop and Artemsia pontica. We color the cordial with natural cochineal, which adds the vibrant red color that one expects from a traditional Aperitivo as it has been used in spirits for hundreds of years.

Cochineal is a completely natural scarlet dye made from crushed insect, ethically sourced from South America.