Ingredients
Thirty botanicals, led by juniper berry and rhubarb root — an unusual pairing that gives Select a piney, rooty backbone under the familiar bitter-orange red-aperitivo profile.
- ✦Juniper berry
- ✦Rhubarb root
- ✦Bitter orange peel
- ✦Gentian
- ✦Cardamom
- ✦Cinchona bark
- ✦Thirty botanicals in total
History of the Brand
Select was created in the Castello district of Venice in 1920 by Distilleria Pilla, two brothers building a house bitter for the city's cafés.
It became the default red bitter of the Veneto, and the original Venetian spritz was built on Select, not Aperol — locals still order 'uno spritz con Select'.
For decades it barely left the region, which is why the rest of the world learned the spritz through Aperol instead.
Now owned by the Montenegro Group, Select returned to the US in 2016 and has been adopted by bartenders wanting a drier, more bitter spritz.
Tasting Characteristics
Blood orange, juniper, rhubarb and a faint floral note.
Rounder and more bitter than Aperol, with orange peel, pine and earthy root.
Dry, properly bitter, medium-long.
Flavor meter
How to serve it
- 01The Venetian spritz: three parts prosecco, two parts Select, one splash soda, green olive.
- 02In a Negroni for a juniper-doubled, drier take.
- 03Over ice with soda and an orange slice.
- 04In a Garibaldi with fresh orange juice.
- 05Split with Campari to soften a Boulevardier.
Where to Get It
Steady US distribution since 2016 and everywhere in the Veneto. The squat bottle with the red label and gold lettering is easy to spot.
Specialty bottle shops
Shelved with Aperol and Campari, usually $25–$32.
Online spirits retailers
Search 'Select Aperitivo Venice'.
Venice
The default spritz pour in every bacaro in the city.
Affiliate buying links coming soon.
Select Aperitivo FAQ
What is Select Aperitivo?
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A Venetian red bitter created in 1920, made from thirty botanicals led by juniper and rhubarb root, bottled at 17.5% ABV.
How is Select different from Aperol?
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Select is drier, more bitter and more complex, with juniper and rhubarb where Aperol leans on sweet orange and vanilla.
What is the authentic Venetian spritz?
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Three parts prosecco, two parts Select and a splash of soda over ice, garnished with a green olive rather than an orange slice.
Can I use Select in a Negroni?
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Yes. Substituting Select for Campari gives a Negroni with more juniper and a drier finish, though slightly lower in alcohol.
Who makes Select?
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Originally Distilleria Pilla in Venice; it is now produced by the Montenegro Group.