As soon as the UK sees even a hint of sunshine, it seems Brits are already in summer mode. New data from Deliveroo reveals that orders of the iconic Italian aperitif Aperol Spritz surge by nearly 400% when temperatures hit just 16°C — proving you don’t need a heatwave to embrace al fresco season.
Brits Don’t Wait for Heatwaves
According to Deliveroo’s latest figures, 16°C is the tipping point that sends Aperol orders soaring across the country. While that might feel mild compared to peak summer highs, it’s more than enough to trigger a nationwide shift in food and drink habits.
The findings highlight how quickly Brits respond to seasonal changes, with even a modest rise in temperature sparking spontaneous park picnics, garden gatherings, and after-work drinks.
The UK’s Aperol Hotspots
From bustling cities to coastal escapes, Aperol fever is sweeping the nation. The top locations ordering the most Aperol via Deliveroo include:
- London
- Manchester
- Brighton
- Camberley
- Crawley
- Bristol
- Birmingham
- Oxford
- Edinburgh
- Cambridge
These “sunshine capitals” show that no matter where you are in the UK, a glimpse of blue sky is enough to get the drinks flowing.
‘Picky Bits’ Season Starts at 18°C
It’s not just drinks getting a boost. Deliveroo also reports a spike in orders of so-called “Picky Bits” — the UK’s unofficial summer dining staple — once temperatures reach 18°C.
Orders for snackable favourites rise by nearly 40%, with Brits opting for easy, shareable foods perfect for grazing outdoors. The most popular category? Dips.
Leading the way is houmous, followed by cream cheese & chive, guacamole and tzatziki. To accompany them, shoppers are adding sausage rolls, olives, savoury pastries, antipasti, breadsticks and charcuterie to their baskets — creating the ultimate fridge-to-table spread.
Grocery Delivery Makes Summer Instant
With partners including Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Waitrose and Morrisons, Deliveroo allows customers to order everything from Aperol to picnic essentials in as little as 20 minutes.
Suzy McClintock, VP of Consumer and New Verticals at Deliveroo, explains:
“The moment the thermometer hits 16°C, it’s like a silent signal goes off across the nation. Brits don’t need a heatwave to catch those summer feelings — just a glimpse of sunshine is enough to send Aperol orders through the roof.”
She adds that whether it’s a last-minute park picnic or the first garden “picky bits” dinner of the year, shoppers are increasingly turning to on-demand grocery delivery to make the most of the moment.
Ready for a Spontaneous Summer
With spring in full swing and warmer days ahead, the data shows that Brits are more than ready to embrace the season — one Aperol Spritz at a time.
