One of my absolute favorite cocktails is an Aperol Spritz, also known as a Spritz Veneziano. It’s incredibly refreshing, not super sweet and so easy to make; only 3 ingredients!
A classic Aperol Sprtiz tastes like a warm summer day in Italy on the Amalfi Coast and looks like the most picturesque sunsets. I honestly love to drink these year around but it’s such a staple summer drink!
Aperol shares their Aperol Sprtiz Ritual on their website which mentions a 1:1 equal ratio of Aperol to Prosecco. Nolan and I like to drink our Sprtiz’s with a little more Aperol since we love the citrus zing! I’ll mention below a few moderations you can change depending on your tastes and liking.
Aperol Spritz Ingredients
This only requires 3 ingredients, plus ice. That’s it!
1) Aperol
Duh. Aperol is an orange apéritif, bright in both color and flavor. You can pretty much find Aperol at any store now in the apéritif area of the liqueurs. Do yourself a favor and buy the big bottle, trust me you’re going to want this drink all the time after you try it for the first time!
2) Prosecco or Sparkling Wine
Prosecco, sparkling wine, champagne; any of the three will work! I recommend not spending too much on your bottle choice. I have an entire post on some of my favorite champagnes & sparkling wines, linked here! Classic choice is a brut that is a little more on the dry side but if you’re looking for something sweeter and fruity, definitely will work! Two of my favorite bubbles for this is La Vostra and Sophia Blanc de Blancs.
3) Sparkling Water or Club Soda
This is just for a little added carbonation and to help balance out the flavors. I normally just use our SodaStream but also like San Pellegrino, Perrier or any other sparkling water. If you want to get a little fancy, you can always use a citrus flavored La Croix or even a blood orange soda is a fun twist for something a little sweeter.
4) Fresh orange
Totally not a necessity and I normally don’t garnish on the daily but it really dresses up the aesthetic and is such a classic!
How To Make
Ready for it?
Fill your glass of choice with ice. I LOVE these and these from Crate and Barrel. Pour in your Aperol and then followed by the Prosecco/Sparkling Wine. The classic recipe is 1:1 Aperol & Sparkling. Top it off with a splash of sparkling water and finish with an orange slice!
I told you it was easy!
Modifications & Substitutions
Deanna’s Go-To Ratio
2 parts Aperol, 3-4 parts sparkling. Nolan and I both like our drinks strong! We typically don’t add the sparkling water at the end either, just prefer the two together. We’ll normally use about 1/3 of the bottle per drink. Don’t be afraid to add more bubbles for a little more fun 😉
Less Citrus
If citrus isn’t your favorite but you still want to enjoy a classic spritz, feel free to scale back on the Aperol!
More Bubbles The Better
Like I mentioned, we like more bubbles with our spritz’s! Feel free to add a splash more sparkling wine or forgo the sparkling water all together.
Other aperitifs
- Campari | Definitely more bitter, a deeper color, still citrusy yet has more alcohol content compared to Aperol! Campari has more of a bold and distinguished flavor and also a classic for other great citrusy cocktails!
- Cocchi Americano | Cocchi is something you can totally drink on its own, it’s sweet yet balanced with fruit, herbs and spices. This turns any spritz into something special! They also make a Rosa version, more berry and rose flavors which can also be fun for a more colorful and aesthetic spritz.
- Italicus | This is a little more botanical tasting with hints of citrus, lavender and floral spice. If you’re a gin lover, this would be perfect for your spritz’s!
- St. Germain | This is my personal favorite substitution! Sometime’s I’m craving something a little sweeter and more floral, elderflower is my go-to!
- Vermouth | Another classic Italian option that has more botanical, woodsy, juniper notes. They have a few different kinds but for a spritz, I’d recommend going with something on the dryer side.
Tips
- Make sure your champagne or sparkling wine is super chilled before assembly! You can always add a few ice cubes but this will make your drink a little watery as it starts to melt as you’re drinking.
- If you want consistency each time you make, feel free to use a shot glass to measure your Aperol! Once you find your preferred ratio, stick with it!
- Use the right glasses. This is such a crucial tip for me! Classic spritz’ are served in a large stemmed wine glass. You can always use a stemless if you want to easily drink on the go or as you enjoy on the beach.
Aperol Spritz
Equipment
- Wine/Cocktail Glass
- Ice
Materials
- 3 ounces Aperol 1 part
- 3 ounces Prosecco 1 part
- 1 ounce Sparkling Water Splash
- 1 Slice Orange For garnish
Instructions
- Fill your glass of choice with ice.
- Pour in your Aperol and then followed by the Prosecco/Sparkling Wine.
- Top it off with a splash of sparkling water and finish with an orange slice!
