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!
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
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.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz
This Aperol spritz recipe is one of the easiest cocktails to make at home.
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol and club soda.
- 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.
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:
- Homemade focaccia with basil pesto
- Olive tapenade with crackers or crostini
- Eggplant caponata with crostini
- Caprese skewers
- Burrata with heirloom tomatoes
Cheers!
More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
If you love this recipe, try one of these refreshing cocktails next:
Aperol Spritz
Equipment
Ingredients
- Ice
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce club soda or sparkling water
- Orange slice, for garnish
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.
Can you make a pitcher ahead of time?
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.
This is one of my favorite summer drinks! Love that it not too sweet on those hot summer night.
Hi Deb, I totally agree about the sweetness level here. Glad you love it!
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.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe is spot on. I first had an Aperol spritz in Venice. They are so refreshing and not too sweet. Perfect!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Scarlet! You can’t beat an Aperol spritz in Venice. 🙂
love prosecco, fun summer sprtiz too, thank you!