Aperol Spritz
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Unwind with an Aperol spritz, the laid-back cocktail with the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.
This past spring, Michael and I visited our son in Europe, where he was studying abroad. Nearly every afternoon, we treated ourselves to an Aperol spritz at a sidewalk café. It’s the perfect drink after a day of walking and sightseeing—refreshing, bubbly, and not too high in alcohol. Over there, it’s simply called a “spritz,” and while the specific apéritif can vary, this classic Italian cocktail is all about easy, laid-back enjoyment. Traditionally, it’s made with 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol (a vibrant liqueur with a unique bitter-sweet flavor), and 1 part soda water. But I like to go a bit lighter on the Aperol for a less bitter, more bubbly drink. Serve it over ice, garnish with a slice of orange, and let it bring a little brightness to your day!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need To Make An Aperol Spritz
- Prosecco: The base of the cocktail, this sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy, named after the village of Prosecco, is known for its light, refreshing taste; its crisp acidity and fine bubbles make it an excellent base for cocktails.
- Aperol: This Italian apéritif with a vibrant orange hue and citrusy, bittersweet flavor has a lower alcohol content than other apéritifs, which contributes to the light, refreshing quality of the spritz.
- Soda Water: Adds a fizzy lift to the spritz, balancing the sweetness of the Prosecco and the bitterness of the Aperol.
- Orange Slice: Used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of fresh citrus flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Fill a wine glass or a large stem glass halfway with ice.
Pour the Prosecco into the glass.
Add the Aperol.
Pour in the soda water.
Stir to combine
Garnish with an orange slice.
Enjoy!
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Aperol Spritz
Unwind with an Aperol spritz, the laid-back cocktail with the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 6 oz Prosecco, chilled
- 1 to 2 oz Aperol, to taste
- 2 oz soda water, chilled
- Orange slice
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass or a large stem glass halfway with ice. Pour the Prosecco into the glass, followed by the Aperol and soda water. Gently stir to mix the ingredients and garnish with an orange slice.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (1 servings)
- Serving size: 1 drink
- Calories: 172
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Sodium: 22 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Hi- when you write “soda water” do you mean club soda or seltzer? Many thanks, and excited to try this! Sara
Hi Sara, I use Pelligrino. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for sharing this refreshing drink. I had it in Europe last year and now I am able to make it myself. Very delicious, great summer drink.
Thank you for reminding me of my favorite Italian cocktail! I bought splits or small prosecco bottles so I can make one at a time ;-). No prosecco waste. Or is there such a thing?!
I love that you added this recipe to your collection. We visited my daughter in Florence this Spring, who was also doing Study Abroad. And we’ve been been making/enjoying Aperol Spritz for years and loved them in Italy. Love the Hugo Spritz too. Cheers!
I live in Northern Virginia — a suburb of Washington DC. I cannot find Aperol liquer for sale anywhere near me. The ones available online are all non-alcoholic. Any advice as to where to find this? Thanks.
Hi, Aperol is pretty widely available in liquor stores so I’m assuming you’ve just overlooked it. The next store you go to, I’d ask an employee to point you in the right direction. Hope you enjoy the drinks when you make them!
I’m in Richmond, VA and just bought a bottle at an ABC store two weeks ago, they had plenty in all sizes so I’d be surprised if you can’t find it in NOVA, too. Check your area ABC stores online (their online ordering is pretty efficient). Good luck, we love our cool Aperol Spritzes in this heat!
Just had my first Lillet Spritz…same thing with Lillet subbing in for Aperol. Both are deliciously refreshing.
My boyfriend and I discovered the Aperol Spritz in Italy also. We kept seeing people sitting at outdoor tables looking happy while drinking this pretty orange drink. When we order one at home in the US, the results aren’t that great. I will print your recipe to share with a few of our favorite places here. Thank you Jenn.
Had this is Florence a few years ago and have been making it at home- exact proportions as yours.
My favorite cocktail!
We enjoyed these in Italy this spring. Would be fun to make at home! Thank you!