Aperol Spritz

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Aperol spritz is Italian summer in a glass. The bright red-orange hue is a good balance between bitter and sweet, with herby citrusy notes, and just the right amount of sparkling fizz. What more could you ask for in a summer cocktail?

Aperol Spritz in glasses next to a napkin

The Perfect Summer Cocktail Starts with an Aperol Spritz

I’ve had my fair share of Aperol spritzes (and this limoncello spritz) during my Italian summer getaways. Everywhere you go in Italy, you’ll see people enjoying this refreshing apéritif (an alcoholic drink that is typically enjoyed before a meal).

This means you won’t get crazy drunk off of one glass since it’s only around 11% ABV (thank goodness). More so, you’ll receive a delightfully light buzz that will get your taste buds going. So feel free to sip on one or two glasses of this Aperol spritz recipe on a sunny day. It really is the perfect cocktail to gather your friends and family on a warm, summer afternoon.

Ingredients for Aperol Spritz on a table

Aperol Spritz Ingredients

Nail the classic Aperol spritz with just 4 ingredients (plus ice). The Aperol, club soda, and orange slice is pretty straightforward. But it’s the prosecco you’ll need to pay a bit more attention to when selecting out of the bunch.

  • Prosecco: When choosing a Prosecco, look for a dry/brut one. If it’s on the sweeter side, it will turn a bit syrupy and make it an ever sweeter drink (when it doesn’t need to be). It also doesn’t need to be pricey – a good mid-range one will do just fine.
  • Aperol: You can buy this red-orange colored liquor pretty much anywhere that sells a selection of alcohol. But scope it out online first – some places may sell it for cheaper!
  • Club Soda: Club soda will give you the perfect amount of fizz. You could also use sparkling water, just make sure there’s no flavor to it.
  • Orange: This is optional, but adding a large orange slice to your Aperol spritz is the classic way to serve it! Plus, it adds fresh citrus notes.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Glasses of Aperol Spritz

How to Make an Aperol Spritz with the 3-2-1 Method

The classic way to make an Aperol spritz is with the 3-2-1 method, which calls for 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part club soda. One crucial thing to note though is to stay consistent with the order of ingredients.

This is a cocktail that doesn’t require any stirring or shaking. And since Aperol is a much denser liquid than Prosecco, it will pile up at the bottom of your glass if you pour that first. So just remember – ice, Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of club soda to top it off! Here’s how to make it.

  • Pour it up. Fill a large wine glass with ice until it is nearly full. Pour in the Prosecco first, followed by Aperol and club soda.
  • Garnish. Add a large slice of orange into the glass before serving.

Ways to Tweak Your Aperol Spritz

Although this cocktail should be made as is, there’s always room for tweaks to make it suitable for you. Whether you want it a bit sweeter or stronger, here’s how to do it without completely changing the entire recipe.

  • Make it sweeter. If you’re finding that it’s too bitter, you can us a sweeter Prosecco or swap it completely for a sparkling moscato (a naturally sweet wine).
  • Make it a bit stronger. Many swear by the 3-2-1 method. But, newer generations have adapted to a 3-3-1 measurement instead. I guess a little more Aperol won’t hurt! Just know that this version is less sweet and more bitter.
  • Make it less strong. Although this cocktail already has a lower alcohol content. You can reduce it by following a 2-2-1 measurement, with an extra splash of club soda if needed.
Two glasses of aperol spritz

Watch Me Make This Aperol Spritz

Watch how easy it is to make the perfect aperol spritz in the video below. And let’s be honest, that Italian music helps to set the mood as well!

Let’s Make More Fun Cocktails!

Summer calls for endless spritzes, especially since they’re so easy to pour up. So round up your friends and make a some Aperol spritzes! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this cocktail in a comment below!

Aperol Spritz in glasses next to oranges

Aperol Spritz

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Aperol spritz is the ultimate Italian-inspired summer cocktail recipe! Watch how I make it in the video above.

Video

Ingredients 
 

  • ice
  • 3 ounces Prosecco
  • 2 ounces Aperol
  • 1 ounce club soda or sparkling water
  • 1 orange slice, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Pour it all in. Fill a large wine glass with ice about halfway full. Pour in the prosecco, Aperol, and club soda.
  • Garnish. Add a large slice of orange into the glass before serving.
    Glasses of Aperol Spritz next to a bottle of Prosecco

Lisa’s Tips

  • I love to use these wine glasses to make Aperol Spritz! They’re so stylish – similar to how the Italians serve it up. 

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Aperol Spritz, Summer cocktail
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. Lisa, this is sooo perfect for a summer evening on my deck overlooking the river in my backyard. It’s stunningly refreshing! I even added the orange slice because, well, why not?! It’s beautiful and delicious!5 stars

    1. Yay, I’m happy you enjoyed it! It really is the perfect summer cocktail to enjoy on the deck or backyard patio. :)

  2. We went to Italy 3 years ago with our daughter and her 5 year old daughter. Our first evening in Milan we had Aperol spritzers and sat in an outside restaurant right next to the Duomo. We love how when your order a cocktail in Italy you are served a little bowl of munchies – potato chips, nuts, etc. We talk about it all the time. I just bought a bottle of Aperol and some Prosecco the other day. Lovely.5 stars

    1. Drinking an Aperol spritz in Italy is seriously the best! Now it’s time to enjoy the same vibes at home (with snacks!)

  3. Yes!! I’ve been waiting for this recipe to come from your Italy trip. I had the ingredients on hand and made one immediately tonight – it was perfect!5 stars