I'll be sipping an Aperol spritz on Labor Day tomorrow. Bittersweet, bubbly, and easy to make with 3 ingredients, it's the perfect goodbye to summer!
For me, Labor Day weekend is bittersweet. There’s lots to look forward to in fall, but if I could stop time and let summer go on forever, I totally would. It will always be my favorite season—I love the hot days, 9pm Michigan sunsets, and abundance of produce.
…but since I can’t stop time, I figure I might as well say goodbye to summer in style. Tomorrow, I’ll be saying “cheers” to the end of the season by making one of my favorite summer cocktails, an Aperol spritz!
Here’s why I love an Aperol spritz:
- It’s easy to make with 3 ingredients. This Italian drink is a simple combination of Prosecco, Aperol, and sparkling water. It’s traditionally garnished with an orange slice too, which I think is not to be skipped.
- It’s perfectly balanced. Just like Labor Day weekend, an Aperol spritz is bittersweet. The lightly sweet sparkling wine balances the Aperol’s bitter notes of rhubarb and orange peel.
- It tastes like summer. This drink will always remind me of my trips to Italy with Jack. Sitting on a patio in the summer sunshine, maybe eating bruschetta or a fresh Caprese salad… It will help me squeeze maximum summer energy into this last day of summer.
So if you don’t have plans for Labor Day, why not join me in making an Aperol spritz?
This classic cocktail has been a hit with other readers. Scarlet said, “This recipe is spot on…so refreshing and not too sweet. Perfect!” And Elle called it, “amazing and tasty.”
I think you’ll love it too!
Get the recipe:
Want to make this recipe? Here are a few tips:
- Don’t skip the orange slice. The orange brings out the fruity notes of the Aperol and helps balance its bitterness. Many cocktail garnishes can be considered optional, but I think this one is an essential part of the drink!
- Serve it with snacks. In Italy, an Aperol spritz is a traditional aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink. If you order one at a restaurant, it will typically come with light bites to perk up your appetite before your meal. For a fun at-home aperitivo, serve this cocktail with bruschetta, caponata, or an all-out antipasto platter.
