Aperol Spritz

An Aperol spritz is an Italian cocktail made of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water. Bittersweet, bubbly, and refreshing, it's the perfect pre-dinner drink!

Aperol spritz

An Aperol spritz is one of my favorite summer cocktails. This Italian drink is made with three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part club soba and garnished with an orange slice. It’s bittersweet, bubbly, and oh-so-refreshing.

If you’re going to Italy on vacation this summer, make sure to order one as an aperitivo while you’re there.

If you’re not, make this Aperol spritz recipe with me at home. It’s super simple (no special equipment required!), so it’s the perfect easy, elegant drink for laid-back summer nights. Enjoy!

Aperol spritz ingredients

Aperol Spritz Ingredients

You need 3 key ingredients to make this recipe:

  • Aperol, of course! Aperol is an Italian aperitif, or pre-dinner liqueur. Developed by the Barbieri brothers in 1919, it has a bright orange color and citrusy, bittersweet flavor. Its exact ingredients are a secret, but key components include rhubarb, gentian root, and cinchona bark, which gives the drink its characteristic bitterness.
  • Prosecco – Prosecco is a sparkling wine produced in northeast Italy. It varies in sweetness. For the least sweet flavor, look for a bottle labeled “brut.” “Extra-dry” and “dry” Prosecco will be sweeter. In a pinch, substitute another sparkling wine such as Champagne or cava.
  • Club soda or sparkling water – It adds extra bubbles and balances the alcoholic ingredients.

You’ll also need ice, because a cooler drink is a more refreshing drink. And an orange slice is the traditional Aperol spritz garnish!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Pouring aperol into wine glass filled with prosecco and ice

How to Make an Aperol Spritz

This Aperol spritz recipe is one of the easiest cocktails to make at home.

  1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol and club soda.
  3. Garnish with a thin slice of orange and serve!

And of course, adjust the balance of flavors to your liking. Add more Prosecco for a less bitter drink or an extra splash of club soda if it’s tasting too strong. Keep in mind that the ice will also dilute the spritz as it melts.

Variation

Make a Campari spritz by replacing the Aperol with Campari.

Note that Campari has a higher alcohol content than Aperol (28% ABV vs Aperol’s 11%), so a Campari spritz is much stronger. You may want to start with a lower ratio of Campari to Prosecco and sparkling water and add more to taste.

Pouring aperitif into cocktail garnished with orange slice

What to Serve with an Aperol Spritz

Aperol spritzes are often served as an aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink, in Italy. They’re commonly accompanied by light bites or snacks, which are intended to whet the appetite before dinner.

For a fun at-home aperitivo hour, pair Aperol spritzes with any of these summer appetizers:

Cheers!

Aperol spritz recipe

More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes

If you love this recipe, try one of these refreshing cocktails next:

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Aperol Spritz

rate this recipe:
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves 1
An Aperol spritz is a classic Italian aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink. It's the perfect cocktail for laid-back summer evenings, because it's bubbly, refreshing, and super simple to make.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol and club soda.
  • Garnish with an orange slice and serve.

9 comments

5 from 2 votes

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Diane
    07.13.2024

    Can you make a pitcher ahead of time?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.15.2024

      Hi Diane, you can make it a little bit ahead of time but the bubbly components will go flat if you make it too far in advance.

  2. Deb
    07.07.2024

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite summer drinks! Love that it not too sweet on those hot summer night.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      07.12.2024

      Hi Deb, I totally agree about the sweetness level here. Glad you love it!

  3. Elle Valera
    06.08.2024

    This drink was amazing and tasty. It is the best for the summer season, and since orange is my favourite fruit, it will always be my favourite.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.13.2024

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  4. Scarlet
    06.04.2024

    5 stars
    This recipe is spot on. I first had an Aperol spritz in Venice. They are so refreshing and not too sweet. Perfect!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      06.06.2024

      So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Scarlet! You can’t beat an Aperol spritz in Venice. 🙂

  5. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    06.03.2024

    love prosecco, fun summer sprtiz too, thank you!

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.