Name: Aperol Spritz Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: Ice cubes; 3 ounces Prosecco; 2 ounces Aperol; 1 ounce club soda or sparkling water; Orange slice (for garnish)

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If there’s one cocktail that brilliantly captures the carefree essence of summer, it’s the Aperol Spritz. With its sunset-orange hue, effervescent bubbles, and delightfully balanced bitter-sweet flavors, this Italian classic has a way of making any gathering instantly feel more vibrant. Whether you’re hosting friends for a relaxed afternoon or craving a simple treat at the end of your day, an Aperol Spritz is the perfect go-to for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink that never fails to impress.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making an Aperol Spritz at home couldn’t be simpler, and each ingredient is essential to creating that unmistakable flavor and signature look. Choose the best you can find — every element plays a role in building the refreshing fizz, light bitterness, and iconic orange glow that define the Aperol Spritz experience.

Ice: Start with plenty of fresh ice to keep your cocktail crisp and extra refreshing, even on the hottest days.
Prosecco (3 ounces): A good quality Prosecco brings those joyful bubbles and a gentle fruitiness that balances the drink’s bitterness.
Aperol (2 ounces): This bittersweet Italian aperitif is the heart of the cocktail, infusing it with its vibrant orange color and signature citrus-herbal flavor.
Club soda or sparkling water (1 ounce): Just a splash adds the perfect lightness and extra sparkle without overpowering the main flavors.
Orange slice (for garnish): Not just for looks, a fresh orange slice boosts the cocktail’s aroma and brings a touch of sweet citrus to every sip.

How to Make Aperol Spritz

Step 1: Chill Your Glass with Ice

Begin by filling a large wine glass generously with fresh ice. This is more important than you might think — a well-chilled glass keeps your Aperol Spritz bright and invigorating from the first sip to the last, and those tinkling cubes look stunning swirling beneath the orange liquid.

Step 2: Pour the Prosecco

Next, pour in 3 ounces of crisp, cold Prosecco. Pour it gently directly over the ice to start the fizz going strong. This sparkling wine lays the foundation for all the bubbling, joyous energy that defines a classic Aperol Spritz.

Step 3: Add the Aperol

Measure and add 2 ounces of Aperol carefully. Watch as the liquid diffuses through the Prosecco, bringing that unmistakable orange radiance and layering in bittersweet, citrusy complexity. A gentle swirl at this stage is all it takes to merge the flavors just right.

Step 4: Top with Club Soda

Pour in 1 ounce of club soda or sparkling water to lift the drink even higher with a touch of extra effervescence. This finishing splash lightens and balances everything, ensuring your Aperol Spritz stays ultra-refreshing and never too heavy.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Complete your creation with a vibrant orange slice perched on the rim, or tucked gracefully inside the glass. This final flourish doesn’t just look inviting — it also infuses every sip with a bright aroma and a friendly Italian vibe only an Aperol Spritz can promise. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Serve Aperol Spritz

Garnishes

The classic garnish for an Aperol Spritz is a fresh orange slice, which adds an irresistible pop of color and aroma. Want to get a little fancy? Try adding a sprig of fresh rosemary or a twist of lemon peel alongside the orange for a sophisticated, aromatic twist that will have your guests buzzing.

Side Dishes

While Aperol Spritz shines bright on its own, it’s made for snacking. Pair it with simple appetizers like marinated olives, salty prosciutto, or crispy bruschetta. Savory, briny bites are wonderful with the cocktail’s effervescence, balancing the bittersweet notes and enhancing every sip.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your Aperol Spritz presentation up a notch by serving them in stemless glasses, in colorful pitchers for parties, or even in tall, slender Collins glasses for a modern look. For a fun crowd-pleaser, create a DIY spritz bar with various garnishes and let your guests customize their Aperol Spritz just the way they like it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Aperol Spritz, it’s best enjoyed fresh, as the bubbles and flavors are at their peak right after mixing. However, if you do have some left, cover the glass with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to a few hours. Just note that it will lose some of its fizz over time.

Freezing

While you can’t freeze an Aperol Spritz exactly as it is (those bubbles wouldn’t survive), you can turn it into a playful granita by freezing the mixture in a shallow dish, scraping it every half hour until it’s icy and slushy — a cool party treat with all the Aperol Spritz flavors!

Reheating

Since Aperol Spritz is a refreshing cold cocktail, reheating doesn’t typically apply. But if your drink loses its chill, simply add fresh ice, a splash of club soda for bubbles, and perhaps a new orange slice to revive its charm.

FAQs

Can I make an Aperol Spritz without Prosecco?

Yes, you can use any dry sparkling wine if you don’t have Prosecco on hand! Just look for something crisp and not overly sweet, so it complements the Aperol’s bittersweet notes perfectly.

Is Aperol Spritz very strong?

Aperol Spritz is delightfully light compared to most cocktails, with a lower alcohol content thanks to the mix of Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water. It’s ideal for sipping leisurely, even early in the evening.

How can I make my Aperol Spritz less bitter?

If you prefer a milder taste, use a little less Aperol and a touch more Prosecco or club soda. You can also add a splash of orange juice for brightness and sweetness without overpowering the cocktail.

What’s the best ice for Aperol Spritz?

Use plenty of fresh, large ice cubes — they melt more slowly so your spritz stays colder and less diluted. Avoid crushed ice, as it waters down the flavors too quickly.

Can I batch Aperol Spritz for a party?

Absolutely! Mix larger quantities of Aperol and Prosecco in a pitcher, add ice and soda just before serving, and set out orange slices so each guest can garnish their own sparkling glass of Aperol Spritz.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about sharing an Aperol Spritz on a sunny day — its vibrant color and invigorating fizz are impossible to resist. I hope you give this recipe a try and bring a little slice of Italian aperitivo spirit into your own home. Cheers to many sparkling moments ahead!

Aperol Spritz Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 22 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and vibrant cocktail, the Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian aperitif that combines the bitter citrus notes of Aperol with the effervescence of Prosecco. Perfect for a summer evening or any social gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Ice

Ice cubes

Prosecco

3 ounces Prosecco

Aperol

2 ounces Aperol

Club Soda or Sparkling Water

1 ounce club soda or sparkling water

Orange Slice

Orange slice (for garnish)

Instructions

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add ice cubes to a wine glass.
Pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol and club soda. Pour 3 ounces of Prosecco into the glass, then add 2 ounces of Aperol, and top it off with 1 ounce of club soda or sparkling water.
Garnish with an orange slice and serve. Add an orange slice as a garnish before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Category: Drink
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian