An Aperol spritz is my go-to summer cocktail! Made with just Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water, this bittersweet drink tastes like a European summer at a fraction of the cost. Enjoy it outdoors, ideally by the pool, and soak up the summer sun.
Without a doubt, an Aperol spritz is my all time favourite cocktail. It’s the perfect drink to sip on when the sun’s out and really is the perfect taste of summer.
Aperol is not for everyone due to its bitter taste, and I’ll acknowledge that, but as someone who doesn’t love sweet drinks, it’s definitely for me. If you do prefer a sweeter drink, definitely try a Hugo spritz or a Limoncello spritz instead!
My love for Aperol has a delightful origin story as I had my first spritz in Italy. It was 2015 and I was sitting in Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) in Venice. I paid 20 Euro for a spritz but it came with some snacks which was nice, and an incredible view to people watch. It’s become such a wonderful memory that I’ve never regretted that price tag.
Since then, I’ve had my fair share of spritzes both in Europe and at home in Australia so I do know what makes a good one and what makes a great one. Honestly, the answer is actually really simple: get the ratio right and use a good prosecco.
Key Ingredients
An Aperol spritz is made using just three ingredients plus a garnish.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Aperol – An Italian aperitif that is bright orange in colour and has a unique bittersweet taste.
- Prosecco – You want to use a prosecco you like to drink, something dry and a little sweet will work well.
- Soda Water – You can use club soda water or sparkling mineral water.
- Garnishes – Keep it simple with a slice of fresh orange.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Honestly, there isn’t really anything special you need to know about making an Aperol spritz. It follows a standard ratio of 3-2-1 so once you’ve made a couple you’ll get a hang for the quantities needed.
Start with the glass. I am just using my wine glasses as a spritz is best served in a large wine glass. Fill it about halfway with ice.
I used to always make an Aperol spritz by adding the Aperol first. After my last trip to Italy however I watched the bar tenders make them by adding the prosecco first and honestly, this is much better as the Aperol mixes better meaning you don’t get the possibility of a syrupy bottom.
So pour in your prosecco, followed by the Aperol then the soda water. The taste is best with the ratios as written but if you find they are going down a bit too quickly you can always just add a little more soda water.
Add a slice of fresh orange and you’re done! It’s such a simple drink to make which makes it an ideal one for parties or BBQs.
Serving suggestion: Pair your spritz with an easy prosciutto crostini for a delicious appetiser that complements the bright, bittersweet flavours of the drink. It’s simple to make, feels a little fancy, and is the perfect bite to enjoy alongside a refreshing summer cocktail.
Recipe FAQs
An Aperol spritz is a classic Italian cocktail made with prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. It’s light, bubbly, and bittersweet. It’s the perfect warm-weather drink!
The traditional ratio is 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda water. This gives the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.
Absolutely! An Aperol spritz was made for lounging in the sun by the pool. Just make sure to use a plastic glass for pool safety!
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More summer drinks:
Sparkling Watermelon Lime Mocktail
Lemon Spritz Mocktail
Non Alcoholic Mojito
Non Alcoholic Cherry Spritz
Classic Aperol Spritz Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces / 6 tablespoons / 90 ml prosecco
- 2 ounces / 4 tablespoons / 60 ml Aperol
- 1 ounce / 2 tablespoons / 30 ml soda water
- Ice to serve
- Fresh orange slices to garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to a glass. Pour over prosecco followed by the Aperol. Top with soda water and stir.
- Garnish with a slice of orange.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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