Classic Aperol Spritz
Learn how to make a classic Aperol spritz! These bubbly Italian cocktails are refreshing and so easy to make. Find the best Aperol spritz recipe here!
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
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We’re going to Italy this summer, so I’m celebrating with this classic Aperol spritz recipe! Aperol spritzes are ultra refreshing, not-too-sweet bubbly cocktails.
A proper Aperol spritz tastes like summertime in Italy and looks like a golden orange sunset. I’ll gladly sip one on our front porch now, overlooking our overgrown front yard, and later, with a view of the Italian Riviera.
The Aperol spritz has been in the spotlight over the past week, since the New York Times boldly declared that “The Aperol Spritz Is Not a Good Drink.” Grub Street shot back that the “Entire Internet Agrees Aperol Spritz Is, in Fact, Good.”
I, for one, find the Aperol spritz to be entirely delightful. Both articles are written with the assumption that you have tried an Aperol spritz, but what if you haven’t? I vote that we all make some this weekend and decide for ourselves.
Aperol Spritz Ingredients
These cocktails require four basic ingredients, plus ice.
1) Aperol
Only Aperol will do here. Aperol is a bright orange apéritif. The brand describes the flavors as, “zesty orange with complex herbal scents harmonized with a touch of vanilla.” Look for Aperol near the liqueurs or amaros at the liquor store.
2) Prosecco
Prosecco is an inexpensive Italian sparkling wine similar to Spanish Cava or French Champagne. I recommend choosing a dry (brut) Prosecco so your drink doesn’t turn out too syrupy or sweet. Good choices range from 12 to 18 dollars.
3) Club soda
For some fizzy dilution. Any unflavored sparkling water will work. I keep cans of sparkling water in my pantry for this purpose.
4) Slice of fresh orange
You can skip this if you don’t have it, but an orange slice is the classic garnish for an Aperol spritz.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz
Aperol spritz cocktails are unbelievably easy to make. No cocktail shaker or fancy equipment required!
You’ll simply fill a wine glass with ice, then add Aperol, Prosecco, club soda and a slice of orange.
Watch How to Make an Aperol Spritz
How to Adjust Your Aperol Spritz
The generally accepted ratio is equal parts Aperol and Prosecco plus a splash of club soda. However, you can play around with the ratio until your Aperol spritz tastes exactly the way you like it. I like mine with a little more Prosecco than Aperol.
Make it less bitter
Aperol’s bitter notes can take some getting used to, so you can reduce the bitterness by using less Aperol and more Prosecco.
Make it less boozy
As written, your Aperol spritz is around 11 percent alcohol content by volume (Aperol is 11% ABV and Prosecco is 12%). To make it even lower in alcohol content, use proportionally more club soda and less Aperol and Prosecco.
What to Serve with Your Aperol Spritz
The aperol spritz is commonly served as an apéritif. Apéritifs are designed to be served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. They’re typically lightly alcoholic and more dry than sweet.
Serve your Aperol spritzes with Italian or general Mediterranean-flavored appetizers. Keep in mind that Aperol is on the bitter side. Salty, creamy/fatty and sweet foods take the edge off bitter flavors.
Here are some simple options that pair well:
- Olives or Torn Olives with Almonds, Celery & Parmesan
- Goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, or burrata with crusty bread (perhaps with olive oil and/or good jam)
- Fresh fruit, such as grapes, oranges and strawberries
- Caprese Skewers or Mediterranean Tomato & Feta Dip
- Popcorn drizzled with olive oil (why not?)
Please let me know how you like Aperol spritz cocktails in the comments! I really love hearing from you, and hope these bubbly cocktails become your go-to summer patio drink.
Looking for more refreshing cocktails? Here are a few of my favorites, and you can view all of my cocktail recipes here.
Classic Aperol Spritz
Learn how to make a classic Aperol spritz! These bubbly Italian cocktails are refreshing and so easy to make. Aperol spritzes are best made one by one, so the recipe is written to yield one cocktail and you can make more as necessary. Cheers!
Ingredients
Per cocktail
- Ice
- 3 ounces (1 part) Aperol
- 3 ounces (1 part) dry Prosecco
- 1 ounce (a splash) club soda or unflavored sparkling water
- Orange slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to a wine glass until it is nearly full. Pour in the Aperol (I usually eyeball this and pour until I’ve filled about one-third of the glass).
- Pour in an equal amount of Prosecco. Top your drink off with a splash of club soda and add a slice of orange. Enjoy!
Notes
Make it less bitter: Use less Aperol and more Prosecco.
Make it less boozy: Use more club soda, and less Aperol and Prosecco.
Recommended equipment: I really love the stemless wine glasses (affiliate link) shown in these photos. They are my everyday wine drinking glass, and I almost never break them.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
You wrong my friend, before Prosecco and then Aperol
My wife LOVES The Spritz, we’ve actually taken to adding a splash of Orange or pineapple juice and call it a Caribbean Spritz.
There’s a spell error in Prosecco section. It should be your instead of you…
I like a 3, 2, 1 combo…3 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces Aperol, 1 ounce club soda
My wife and I are celebrating our 2nd anniversary, and she is from Argentina where this is a very popular drink. I found your recipe through Google, found Aperol (not easy in Northern Michigan), and this made her (and our) day. Thank you!!!
Happy anniversary! Thank you for your review.
Fell in love with this cocktail in Italy my favorite!!
It’s so good! I’m happy you agree, Stephania.
We enjoyed the Aperol spritz today. It was refreshing on a warm afternoon. Followed recipe but squeezed a generous squeeze from slice of blood orange.
I’m happy you loved it, Sue! Thank you for sharing.
Excelente tu preparación del Aperol e interesante el resto de tu publicación; te felicito.
Saludos desde Chile
Been to Italy a ton of times. Saw the drink, thought it was “girly” (I’m a guy) so I stayed away. Went on a motorcycle trip through Tuscany with a bunch of M/C guys a couple of years ago, mostly Italian. They were drinking this stuff after every ride and before dinner. They talked me into one. Tried it and never looked back. Love it. Too Sweet? Try Campari instead of Aperol.
I would love to make this for a large party I am hosting. Do you think it will serve well if made ahead of time, served in a pitcher similar to a sangria? Or will it go flat?
Hi, I recommend making these up by glass so you keep the nice bubbles. Enjoy!
So refreshing! This is my new favorite! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Ann! Thank you for your review.
Aperol with tonic water, ice and a slice of orange. Perfect for a warm sunny day.
Thank you, Janet! I appreciate your review.
Not a big cocktail drinker as some meds don’t agree but last night I had a an Aperol Spritz and WOW it was great. The best drink of the summer. So pretty. I have sat in Cafes in Italy and watched them drink this but I don’t think they use the club soda so it it a bit more bitter. I suppose if you are a regular cocktailer you would think it is somewhat light weight. But this drink is so refreshing I think old and young would love it. Tomorrow I am going to get the Aperol so I can enjoy it whenever!!
I didn’t know how to make an Aperol Spritz so I added tonic water to Aperol with ice…..it tasted rather good.
Aperol Spritz brings me back to a hot summer day by the water in lovely Italy!
So delicious! I hope you enjoy this recipe, Ann.
Hey there We just got back from Italy and we’re introduced to this cocktail it is so refreshing and so good but you’re right you got to get used to the aftertaste of bitterness but overall it’s a great cocktail
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Vic! I appreciate your review.
I prefer them without club soda. I also am happy to pair spritzes with veal piccats.
You are just an absolute delight. Thank you for this education! You literally helped me make and try my first aperol spritz at work!
The way you write is also just lovely.
Thank you!
You’re kind, Lex! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’m convinced when one enters the pearly gates on the other side, they hand you a chilled pint glass filled to the top with an Aperol Spritz. I will never again go the traditional Mimosa route when entertaining. This is dangerously delicious. After doing a little research, apparently there are some establishments that actually serve this on tap.
Holy Moly, I must of been living under a rock all this time.
I’m glad you love it, Ronster!
I make this frequently. The key to a great refreshing drink, is for all the ingredients to be very cold, and use enough ice!
I was introduced to the Aperol Spritz by a friend who had it on Italy. It’s a refreshing drink & easy to make!
I’m glad you enjoy it, Kathy! I appreciate your review.
I added a little smashed basil leaf. It was heaven
It’s my go to summer cocktail. So light and refreshing.
That’s great to hear, Kathy! I appreciate your comment.
Aperol Spritz was FANTASTIC … thanks so much for the recipe
You’re welcome, Athena! Thank you for your review.
Just came home from Italy n I have to say I’m in love with the aperole spritz. It’s so refreshing n tastes delicious. Just bought a bottle for my home in NY
This recipe is wonderful, it tastes like the Aperol spritz that I enjoyed in Sicilia recently. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Denise! Thank you for your review.
Very refreshing summertime cocktail! Love it!
I landed on your fine article because I just came back from 6 weeks in France and Italy and it seems everyone was drinking Aperol Spritz. I tried it and loved it, thus my search for it. I had several while there as the weather was glorious. By far the best one was at the Bar Stravinskij at the Hotel de Russie in Rome. I think they use a bit of saffron in theirs. The worst one in Nice was so bitter, that I could not finish it and I did not know why. Thanks to your article, I know it was too much Aperol. Your suggestion to use a bit less Aperol to start is good advice. Thanks to your recipe, I’ll make and enjoy some while reviewing my photos. June 24, 2022. Thanks.
I had my first Aperol Spritz last night at a local Italian restaurant and Loved it. Am going to the liquor store today to purchase the ingredients so I can have one tonight on my patio.
I hope you loved it, Collins! Thank you for your review.
Love Aperol Spritz. All I drank in Italy. Thxs.
Delish!! My daughter introduced me to Aperol spritzer and Omgosh!!! This is my refreshing drink going forward!! LOVE IT!,
Made it by your recipe and it just didn’t taste right. After checking the official website I learnt it’s 2 parts aperol and 3 parts prosecco.
Hi Tasha, I’m sorry you didn’t like this recipe. I appreciate your feedback.
It’s crazy how just the orange garnish makes it that much better! Smooth easy summer drink! And it’s cheap! Dangerous!
Have made this many times. Love it with grapefruit flavoured soda water or a splash of grapefruit juice. Took the less boozy route with more soda. Added a bit more bubbles and a little less Aperol. Yum! Summer in a cup.
Thank you for sharing how you made this, Leslie! I appreciate your review.
Just back from Italy where I became addicted to Aperol Spritz in Venezia. I had one or two every day. The most perfect, and beautiful, drink during hot days in Italy or now here in Virginia.
Ciao
You might suggest altering to lessen the aperol to Prosecco ratio otherwise the drink is extremely sweet and almost unbearable. Most aperol spritz recipes (food network, etc) call for 1/2-.75 part aperol:1 part Prosecco.
Hi Sam, I’m sorry you didn’t love it.
I drank Aperols every day during our recent trip to Switzerland, Germany and France. Delightful❤️
Love the Aperol Spritz…very refreshing summer drink.
Just returned from Croatia/Slovenia/Italy and decided to give one of these popular drinks a try … I LOVED IT!! I did try it with Campari and was not a fan. I can see how it wouldn’t be for everyone but for me it was really refreshing and a nice change from the normal. Heading to the grocery store later to see if I can find the ingredients.
We tried the Aperosol Spritz on our cruise ship to the Mediterranean this year! It’s beautiful to look at and very tasty!! My husband loved it:
Kate this is exactly how we make our Aperol Spritz here & have been doing for a while as this drink suits our lovely long Aussie summer.
Your name & recipes came up yesterday with a group of women friends at lunch at a restaurant overlooking one of our beaches on the Gold Coast on a stunning day which called for Aperol spritzes.
The conversation turned to food, recipes for more vegetarian dishes I said ‘look for Cookie & Kate… her many recipes are varied, fresh, delicious & never fail me’. I looked up Aperol Spritz on a whim … to see if you had discovered it/had a recipe…. so this is where it took me. Thanks for all your recipes I use… a family favourite is the corn & black bean salad… everyone loves it. Happy Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks.
This aperol spritzer is delicious!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mary! I appreciate your review.
I love this! It’s so refreshing.
I’m excited you enjoyed it, Janelle! I appreciate your review.
The first time we ordered these in Italy they came with a small bowl of house made potato chips still warm. Perfect with the sweetness of the drink.
Make it by the pitcher. Serve with large antipasto. That’s an afternoon for a group.
Thank you for sharing, Bryan! Cheers.
We have wanted to try a peril spritzers for a while now. We visited Aruba and they were serving them in one of the restaurants. We tried them a few times and it become our go to drink. Different recipes at different places. We used your recipes and have tried a few different variations. A splash of Aran coats Rossa is a favorite as is Lemon elderflower sparkling soda. Different twists to appeal to different tastes.
Only retard units here? Can someone please translație how much Aperol is it in non ratarded units?
We just got back from Europe and enjoyed an Aperol Spritz on several occasions in a number of countries. Not once was one served in a glass full of ice. Why water down such a wonderful drink? The secret is to chill the Aperol and Prosecco well. Use a large wine glass that is rinsed and placed in the freezer, leaving a small puddle of water in the bottom to form into ice. Then add all the ingredients and mix well. Serve. And, please, dont dilute by adding soda water.
I had not heard of Aperol until I spent time in Spain last fall. People were lined up at the Aperol Spritz vendor in the central Mercado in Madrid so I had to try one. A delicious, refreshing, light cocktail. Made one yesterday with a Spanish white wine and lime flavored sparkling water. It was delicious and demonstrated that this is an adaptable cocktail.
I’ve been a Prosecco lover for over 8 years before our region (coastal New England) offered it everywhere, Those of us who belong to BJ’s should know that they have their own label fir $7.99 which I found comparable to my usual $14 purchase even when drinking it all by itself. I do love your Aperol spritzer as it’s not sweet
I went to Europe last week and fell in love with Aperol Spritz. I am happy to have this recipe will definitely be trying it.