Aperol Spritz Recipe

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This Aperol Spritz recipe is the most perfect drink for a warm day. Using only three simple ingredients, it’s so simple and refreshing. I’ve included variations of my favorite summertime cocktail to give more delicious options.

Aperol Spritz with ice around.

Every.single.summer for the past few summers, I’ve wanted to go to southern Italy. This urge only really happens in the summer, when photos of orange umbrellas, glistening shots of the ocean and I just dream of stumbling through the cobblestone streets of Amalfi coast. All I want in those moments is a big bowl of linguine con le vongole, cannelloni a bite of tiramisu and of course, an aperol spritz.

Let’s start with the basics:

What Is an Aperol Spritz

Let’s start with the basics: What is Aperol? Aperol is an Italian apertif. What is an apertif, you ask? It’s a type of liqueur you drink before dinner, while a digestif is something you drink after dinner. Limoncello is a famous digestif (you might like my Limoncello Tiramisu).  An aperol spritz is a super simple cocktail of aperol, sparkling water and prosecco.

Ingredients You’ll Need for an Aperol Spritz

Aperol over ice.
  • Aperol, of course.
  • Sparkling water. I usually go with Mountain Valley or Pellegrino.
  • Prosecco. Or another sparkling wine. I like to stick to prosecco ‘cuz it’s Italian.

How to Make an Aperol Spritz

I love making this cocktail at home because it couldn’t be more simple. Here are the steps to make it:

  1. Add about 2 to 3 ounces of Aperol to a glass.
  2. And then, add a handful of ice. You want this drink to be COLD.
  3. Top it with a splash of sparkling water. I usually add an additional 2 ounces.
  4. And then, end it with a splash of sparkling wine. I like to use Prosecco. Garnish with green olives, if you like.

That’s it! Super simple.

Green olives being added to cocktail.

Variations for an Aperol Spritz Recipe

Here’s some fun variations:

  • Grapefruit Aperol spritz: fresh grapefruit juice, sparkling water and Aperol. Garnished with a grapefruit peel.
  • Rosé Aperol spritz: Rosé, sparkling water and Aperol. Garnished with green olives. Trust me.
  • IPA Aperol spritz: There’s IPA beer, Aperol and sparkling water. It may sound strange but it’s def not.
  • Apple: If you want a more autumnal version, you can add apple cider (natural apple juice), 2 ounces of Aperol and sparkling water. Garnish with slices of apple.
Tonic going into cocktail.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best prosecco to use for an aperol spritz?

I would go with a mid-priced prosecco. No reason to go too expensive here since it’s acting as a mixer.

What snacks should I serve with an aperol spritz?

I love how Italians will serve crispy potato chips with an aperol spritz. So chic.

What does aperol taste like?

Aperol has bitter and sweet notes. On its own the viscosity is a bit too thick for me.

What is another liqueuer I could use?

Other comparable liqueurs to aperol are campari

What other cocktails can I make with Aperol?

You can make a negroni, paper plane and a naked & famous.

Aperol Spritz with grapefruit.

What to Serve with Aperol Spritzes

5 from 5 votes

Aperol Spritz Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
This Aperol Spritz Cocktail recipe is the most perfect drink for summer. I've included variations of my favorite summertime cocktail to give more delicious options.

Ingredients 

Classic Aperol Spritz

  • 2 ounces Aperol liqueur
  • Ice
  • 2 ounces sparkling water
  • 3 ounces sparkling wine or Prosecco

Aperol Variations:

  • 2 ounces Aperol
  • 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
  • 2 ounces sparkling water or tonic
  • Grapefruit peel, as garnish

Rosé Aperol Spritz:

  • Ice
  • 2 ounces Aperol
  • 3 ounces rosé
  • 2 ounces sparkling water
  • Green olives, as garnish

IPA Aperol Spritz:

  • Ice
  • 1 to 2 ounces Aperol
  • 4 ounces IPA beer, pilsner is good too!
  • 2 ounces sparkling water
  • Lime or lemon, as garnish

Instructions 

To Make a Classic Aperol Spritz:

  • Add all of the ingredients to a glass. Stir and serve.

To Make the Grapefruit Spritz:

  • Add all of the ingredients to a glass. Stir and garnish with the grapefruit peel.

To Make the Rosé Aperol Spritz:

  • Add the ice, aperol, rosé and sparkling water to a glass. Stir gently and garnish with green olives.

To Make the IPA Aperol Spritz:

  • Add the ice, IPA, sparkling water to a glass. Stir gently and garnish with a wedge or slice of lime or lemon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Sugar: 7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Italian
Like this Recipe? Please Rate & comment below!

Cozy Latin-Inspired Comfort Food Recipes

Hi! I'm Adrianna and this is my cozy space on the internet that is super-charged by butter, flour and copious amounts of pasta. Stay awhile, will you!

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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hey there Adrianna, because of you i went out to buy aperol and ended up buying more than i needed (alcohol + soda water + wine + beer) 🙂 happy 4th of july! just want to say happy holidays and i loveeeeee your blog and your posts! love from singapore!

  2. For a second there I got distracted by Amelia the corgis Instagram feed on your side bar. So cute. Amazing recipes. I may not find Aperol in my country but I can try substitute it with something else.

  3. Aperol is a bit too bitter for my taste, so when I make a prosecco spritzer, I also use orange juice. You basically did the same thing with grapefruit juice, which is incredible! But the rose´?!!!! Extra incredible. I’ve got to get out my aperol and start playing! Thanks!

  4. i am v basic but i could so go for some rose + aperol action (minus the olives cuz me and olives don’t get along). and grapefruit + aperol action. and ipa + aperol action. ok, shit, just give me a bottle of aperol already. and let’s book some flights to southern italy while we’re at it. carpe diem or something!

  5. 5 stars
    Thank you for this post! I lived abroad in Austria for two years – and the Aperol Spritz is a common drink at every bar there in Salzburg and Vienna. I love it, and it reminds me of vacation. I will have to try your version with the rose – thanks again for the lovely post!

    1. it’s screams vacation but we all can’t be on vacation all the time so let’s just drink like we are. 🙂

  6. Aperol spritzes are my jam! Literally, hot, humid, Italian sunshine in a glass. I seriously might just have to have this exact setup for my bridal shower. My fiancé proposed to me in Rome last summer, so Italy and spritzes will always be extra special. Plan for a summer wedding and honeymoon in Italy! Especially if you wanna visit Cinque Terre or the Amalfi coast. Asia is pretty much the same all year round.

    You’re amazing mujer!

    1. oh that’s sounds like suuuuch a good thing to serve at a bridal shower. gracias, chamita. xoxo