Fizzy and festive with a beautiful rich orange hue, Aperol Spritz is an iconic drink for a reason. This classic Italian cocktail is light and bubbly, lightly sweet, refreshing, and perfectly aromatic. Spritzes originated in Italy but have grown in popularity outside of the country, especially in recent years. Served in large wine glasses over ice, the original recipe for Aperol Spritzes was created in 1919 in Italy to help combat the summer heat, making this spritz the perfect cocktail for outdoor dining, warm weather evenings, or cocktail hour al fresco.
To make this recipe, simply gather the spritz ingredients – club soda, Prosecco, and of course, Aperol – and pour over ice for a balanced cocktail featuring citrus, rhubarb, and vanilla notes. Dress up this spritz recipe with orange slices and serve with your favorite charcuterie board, cured olives, or alongside pizza. For more summer cocktail recipes, try my mojito, cucumber martini, or caipirinha.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Aperol – the namesake ingredient for this classic cocktail, Aperol is a bittersweet liqueur. This Italian-made botanical-infused aperitivo has notes of rhubarb, citrus, vanilla, and a vibrant orange color.
Prosecco – sparkling wine adds a touch of sweetness and bubbles to this drink. I like to use dry Prosecco, but you can substitute prosecco rose or champagne if you prefer.
Club soda – the addition of club soda increases the carbonation for a fizzy drink that’s bubbling and light to sip on a hot day. Unflavored sparkling water can be used in place of the club soda.
Orange slice – a thin slice of orange is my favorite garnish for this drink. This ingredient is optional but adds a hint of orange and you’ll love how elevated and sophisticated it makes the drink look.
How to Make An Aperol Spritz
1. Put a handful of ice in the bottom of a wine glass and pour the Aperol on top.
2. Add the Prosecco to the glass.
3. Top with a splash of club soda or sparkling water.
4. Garnish with an orange slice, if using.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Refrigerate the ingredients ahead of time. For a cold refreshing drink, chill all of the ingredients ahead of time. That way, the ice cubes won’t melt too quickly and water down the cocktail.
- Optional: Pre-freeze your wine glasses. To help keep the drink even cooler, put the wine glasses in the freezer a few hours before making the drink. The cold glass will help the drink stay cold with less ice and slow down the heat transfer from your hand.
- Adjust the ingredient ratios to your liking. A classic Aperol spritz recipe is made with a 3:2:1 ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. If you like a bolder flavor, increase the ratio of Aperol and try a 2:2:1 ratio with equal parts Aperol and Prosecco. For a sweeter, less bitter cocktail, increase the Prosecco and decrease the Aperol. Play around with the right combination of Aperol and prosecco to find your perfect Aperol spritz!
- Have fun with garnishes. While an orange slice is the typical garnish, other citrus slices like grapefruit or Meyer lemon work really well. Go a bit more herbal and add a rosemary sprig, or dress up the glass by floating an edible flower on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
This bubbly drink is made with a 3:2:1 ratio of Prosecco, Aperol, and club soda. This is an easy cocktail that is made right in a large wine glass. The Prosecco and Aperol are poured over ice and then topped with a splash of soda water. A slice of orange is the perfect garnish for this thirst-quenching cocktail, highlighting the citrus flavors in the aperitivo.
Because the club soda and Prosecco will become flat as they sit, the best Aperol spritz is made and served immediately.
Serve this Italian spritz drink with a spread of Italian or Mediterranean appetizers such as bruschetta, Panzanella salad, Caprese salad, or artisan bread with high-quality olive oil, balsamic, and burrata. It’s also excellent alongside a Margherita pizza for a main course.
Add a splash of orange juice to this Aperol recipe for a stronger orange flavor and additional sweetness. For an extra hit of citrus, make this Aperol spritz cocktail with orange-flavored sparkling water. Or, swap both for grapefruit juice and flavored sparkling water.
Both Aperol and Campari are made by the same Italian company and are easy to find at most liquor stores, but they are different liquors. These aperitifs are often made as a pre-dinner drink because they are considered appetite stimulants. Aperol is sweeter, whereas Campari has stronger bitter notes; Aperol also has a lower alcohol content. Both liqueurs are said to be made from secret recipes but have similar citrus and rhubarb flavors. If you’d like to mix up a drink made with Campari, try my boulevardier or Negroni recipes.
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If you’ve tried this Aperol spritz recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Aperol Spritz
Equipment
- Stemmed wine glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- Splash of sparkling water or club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a white wine glass with ice.
- Pour the Aperol over the ice. Add the prosecco and top it with sparkling water. Place an orange slice in the glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Refrigerate the ingredients ahead of time. For a cold refreshing drink, chill all of the ingredients ahead of time. That way, the ice cubes won’t melt too quickly and water down the cocktail.
- Optional: Pre-freeze your wine glasses. To help keep the drink even cooler, put the wine glasses in the freezer a few hours before making the drink. The cold glass will help the drink stay cold with less ice and slow down the heat transfer from your hand.
- Adjust the ingredient ratios to your liking. A classic Aperol spritz recipe is made with a 3:2:1 ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. If you like a bolder flavor, increase the ratio of Aperol and try a 2:2:1 ratio with equal parts Aperol and Prosecco. For a sweeter, less bitter cocktail, increase the Prosecco and decrease the Aperol. Play around with the right combination of Aperol and prosecco to find your perfect Aperol spritz!
- Have fun with garnishes. While an orange slice is the typical garnish, other citrus slices like grapefruit or Meyer lemon work really well. Go a bit more herbal and add a rosemary sprig, or dress up the glass by floating an edible flower on top.
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