Al Roker, the longtime TODAY weatherman and cultural fixture, has embraced the Aperol spritz not only as his go-to summer cocktail but also as a personal signature — one that now appears in both his 2024 cookbook and a celebratory drink created in his honor.
Often hailed by colleague Craig Melvin as “the official Roker drink,” the Aperol spritz has become a staple in Roker’s life, first introduced to him during a trip to Paris with his family. Speaking to Barron’s in 2024, Roker revealed that the Italian aperitif became his “drink of choice” after encountering it in a French bistro alongside his wife Deborah Roberts and their children, Leila and Nick.
“I was sitting in a French bistro with Deborah, Nick and Leila when a waiter passed our table carrying a tray full of intriguing orange-hued drinks,” Roker recounts in Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion. “Where had this tasty cocktail been all my life?”
Captivated by the spritz’s refreshing flavor and vibrant color, Roker ordered a second — then a third — and spent the afternoon savoring the Parisian atmosphere, he writes.
While the classic Aperol spritz consists of just three ingredients — Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water — Roker elevates the cocktail in his cookbook with two additions: blood orange juice and simple syrup. The result is a bolder, fruit-forward version of the traditional recipe, ideal for warm-weather entertaining.
The cocktail’s popularity within Roker’s circle extended to a milestone celebration on the TODAY show in August 2024, when the team marked his 70th birthday with a custom-crafted version of the drink. Bartender Tim Sweeney of New York City’s Pebble Bar unveiled a new creation titled “If the Al-perol Fits,” featuring Aperol, gin, lemon juice, egg whites, and champagne syrup. The drink, a nod to Roker’s favorite cocktail, is now available on the Pebble Bar menu.
Whether in Paris, on set, or in his kitchen, Roker’s affection for the Aperol spritz — and his personalized take on it — continues to resonate as a bright, celebratory symbol of his enduring legacy.
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