Leopold Bros. Apertivo Classico Liqueur, Colorado

A Negroni’s bitter backbone takes on a distinctly Colorado character in Leopold Bros. Aperitivo Classico Liqueur. Crafted in Denver and bottled at 24% ABV, this Italian-style red aperitivo brings together earthy gentian, bright grapefruit, aromatic coriander and flowering herbs, balanced with cane sugar and coloured naturally with cochineal. Its combination of citrus freshness and lingering herbal bitterness makes it equally inviting over ice, lengthened with soda or stirred into a classic cocktail.

Product Details:

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 24%.
• Proof: 48.
• Base Spirit: House-made neutral spirit column-distilled from potatoes, wheat and floor-malted barley.
• Botanicals: Gentian root, grapefruit peel, coriander and flowering herbs, including hyssop and petite wormwood (Artemisia pontica).
• Production: Grapefruit and coriander are distilled separately, then blended and diluted before the remaining botanicals are macerated in the resulting spirit.
• Sweetener: Cane sugar.
• Colouring: Natural cochineal, an insect-derived colouring.
• Master Distiller and Co-founder: Todd Leopold.
• Co-founder: Scott Leopold.

Sensory Description:

Earthy gentian, grapefruit peel and coriander introduce a savoury, aromatic profile. The palate combines juicy grapefruit with herbal complexity, while cane sugar rounds the bitterness without obscuring its structure. Candied citrus peel, wormwood and subtle dried red-fruit notes carry through a long, bittersweet finish.

Distiller's Background:

Founded in 1999 by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros. combines Todd’s European brewing and distilling training with Scott’s background in environmental engineering. Their purpose-built Denver distillery opened in 2014, bringing fermentation, distillation, and maturation together with water recycling and other conservation measures. Making their own neutral spirit gives the brothers control over the foundation of their liqueurs, while separate botanical distillations allow individual aromas to be developed before blending.

Serving Suggestions:

• Temperature: Serve chilled or over ice in a small rocks glass, with a grapefruit or orange twist to complement the citrus aromas.
• Enjoyment: Combine with gin and sweet vermouth for a Negroni, or lengthen with sparkling wine and soda for a spritz. Its herbal bitterness also works beautifully in a Jungle Bird with rum, pineapple and lime.
• Pairing: Enjoy before a meal alongside olives, salted almonds, aged cheeses or citrus-dressed fennel. Salty and savoury appetisers complement its balance of sweetness, citrus and bitter herbs.

Why Leopold Bros. Aperitivo Classico Liqueur?

Separate citrus and coriander distillations give this red bitter a clear aromatic identity, while gentian and flowering herbs provide depth. It is a versatile choice for exploring how grapefruit freshness and earthy bitterness can reshape familiar aperitivo cocktails.