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
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.
I had never even heard of this before this weekend, so it was funny to see you post a recipe for it right after I discovered it. It tastes amazing. I loved it.
I’m glad you loved it, Lynda! I love the timing.
I am trying my best studying all cocktails and it’s a good experience to get ideas from others.
I am not a fan (too sweet) but maybe I just had a bad one. Didn’t want another after that. They are pretty, though.
Thank you for sharing, Leslie!
My wife and I just got back from Italy, Kate. Went to Cinque Terra. It was beautiful and a lot of good hiking. You already may know about this, but another good Italian drink is a Negroni! I enjoyed more than one of them Ciao
Thank you for sharing, Dave! I’m looking forward to it.
Ever since returning from Italy last summer I have been making this cocktail. It’s my new favorite! Thanks Kate!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you love it.
Thanks Kate for the aperol spritz recipe..It happens to be on our cocktail menu as well,so thank you really appreciate..
I’ve been wanting to try an Aperol Spritz for quite some time. I had just seen your post and then today while at Costco, they had so kindly placed Prosecco right next to the Aperol. So I grabbed one of each while thinking of the oranges on our tree. Here in AZ we’ve already had 80° weather and I’m thinking about cocktails on the lanai. You’re right – it’s easy to make, crisp and refreshing. It may become my go-to sipper while I’m preparing dinner. Thoroughly enjoyed this!
Just returned from two weeks in Italy and loved this awesome cocktail. We also loved the Hugo spritz!
Just got back from my first trip to Italy this week, and this drink was EVERYWHERE! I had no idea what it was and had to look it up. I had it just once and thought it was good and refreshing! Glad to have this recipe to try it at home too.
Let me know what you think! I hope you enjoyed your time there. I’m very much looking forward to it!
I just had my first Aperol spritz this past Saturday!! I agree that they are great.
Thank you for sharing, Dawn!
We had spritzes in Venice served with big salty green olives in the drink, instead of orange. I loved the salty/sweet contrast! Highly recommend that option, too.
Thank you for sharing, Anne!
I agree with you… it’s my favourite cocktail since I first had it about 5 years ago in Malta (my home country) … I have never looked back. You will definitely enjoy it even more as you are perched somewhere facing the Mediterranean or Adriatic Sea or in a piazza watching the people go by… enjoy your holiday . Love your posts.
Mary Rose
Thanks for sharing, Mary!
We enjoyed these in Uruguay watching the sun set from Casapueblo near Punta del Este. I tend to add a lot more “agua con gas” and substitute regular white wine for the Prosecco.They are still very satisfying. Here is Uruguay they also sell a similar coloured Martini Bitter made in Brazil which works quite well for me instead of the more expensive Aperol.
I love a nice Aperol Spritz! I first had one in Venice a few years back and found them in every country we visited. They all tasted the same, were very refreshing and easy to order. Everyone knew a Spritz and all the “locals” were drinking them. We’ve been making them in the summer ever since, and like you say, you can play around with the proportions to suit most tastes.
Thank you for sharing, Susan!
A trip to Venice hooked me on Aperol Spritzes. I love drinking them on my patio with a nice plate of cheese, olives, dried fruit, and crackers this time of year. I scoffed at that New York Times article when I ran across it last week. I’m glad to see some love for what I find to be a delightful summer cocktail.
Thank you for sharing, Aimee!
I sense that anyone who says that Aperol Spritz is not a good drink has never had one. I had one with brunch in San Franciso a few years ago, and I too found it delightful!
I’m glad you agree, too! Thanks for sharing, Tina.
Love this post and recipe! Will need to file it away for my postpartum days
A favorite restaurant in Denver serves theirs with a Castelvetrano garnish – salty and sweet – which is along the same lines as your pairing options. Thank you!
You’re welcome and congrats!
I love an Aperol Spritz but never knew how to properly make them. Thanks Kate! I love your blog!!!!
(ps: I also adore an Aperol Sour – try one)
Thanks, Molly! I’m happy you agree.
I just returned from five weeks in Europe including one week in Milan and the Lake Como area where I discovered one of my favorite go-to-drinks: the Spritz. Order a Spritz and it usually came with potato chips and peanuts–surprising since both seem so unItalian. High on my list of things to do was to go to an aperitivo–similar to an American happy hour and have my daily Spritz or Negroni (Campari, gin and vermouth).
Sorry, Kate, I do not agree with you about Aperol. A Campari Spritz is better (in my opinion)–at least if you love that bitter taste. I haven’t made your recipe, but when I was in Crete with friends who live there we experimented with different amounts of the three liquids and I haven’t come to a conclusion yet since they didn’t have Campari in their liquor cabinet–just Aperol.
This weekend I’m having friends over and introducing them to a Spritz. If you’re interested, I can relay my perfect Spritz ratios.
Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed this recipe very much. I upped the soda water as it makes a lovely long drink on a hot day.
Thanks.
My favorite drink!
Love to hear that! It is delicious.
Hi Kate! I folllow you since 2016, love your gluten free healthy receipes and cocktails. Kat year got your book and love it
I have been making my Aperol Spritz since the start of spring this year almost every week in the UK. I did not use to like it when traveling to Italy just until last Autumn I had it in Sicily and loved it! There they make it with no soda. So that is how I like it, 50% Prosecco and 50% aperol. For me the orange is a must! And I even squeeze it a bit in the drink before puting it in the glass…
Lot of love ❤️ from UK
Thank you for following for so long! I really appreciate it. Thanks for sharing the versions you have had!
I just subscribed because I love your recipes!
I saw the NYT article and I agree with you — the Aperol spritz is, well, delightful. I was introduced to it two years ago when our family went to Italy. I can’t handle the powerful bitter of a Negroni, but the Aperol spritz has a nice balance of sweet and bitter. Grapefruit or lemon can be added for more acid.
Enjoy your trip.
I’m glad you love it, too!
These drinks are wonderful. We loved them. They remind me of a less bitter chinotto drink from the San Pelligrino line. Thank you for the recipe!
You’re welcome, Kim!
Kate, you nailed it when you said to use a dry Prosecco. Use one too sweet, and you have carbonated cough syrup. I like spritzers, but prefer a good sangria, you have a good recipe for that as well.
Thanks for the review, Eve!
I love these at brunch or in the evening when I want a little something classy but with less alcohol than bourbon
Thanks for the review, Lorinda!
Hi, Kate! First off, I want to say that I’m a huge fan of your blog and cookbook. I’ve been following for years and have easily made two dozen or more of your recipes (and everything always turns out fantastic!)
I am also a huge fan of the Aperol spritz; I tried to like Campari but find it a bit too bitter for my tastes. Aperol is much more approachable and this cocktail recipe is great. I’m going to pair it with your puttanesca sauce tonight!
Thanks so much for your blog, it has really helped me expand my repertoire of regular meals and has made me a better cook.
Hi Sarah! I’m excited you are an Aperol spritz lover too! Thanks for your support and review.
It really looks delicious. I want to do the same. Thanks.
You’re welcome!
Ha ha – that article is hilarious! Now I’ve bought aperol. Can’t wait to try this fun, summer, cocktail!
I hope you love it, Mary!
Thank you for sharing this superb drink idea. I can prepare it for my customers who do not drink alcohol!!!(I just discover your blog and I love it!!!!)
Thanks! However, this classic cocktail does contain alcohol.
Delightful cocktail! I loved the slight bitterness with the refreshing orange taste. I used Valencia oranges which were delightful. Thank you for the tip on adjusting it to your guest’s tastes. I’m fully in team Aperal Spritz!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it, Mary.
My husband and I just returned from a 2-wk trip to Italy and we drank Aperol Spritz nearly every day! I’m going to a girls card night in the neighborhood and taking the ingredients and your recipe so we can all enjoy a bit it Italia!
That sounds like an amazing trip! I hope this can remind you of it all summer long.
These are perfect for an early summer evening – refreshing and light. We just returned from Austria and these seemed to be on literally every outdoor dining table we passed in Salzburg! Can’t wait to try to recreate these at home.
That sounds like a fun trip! Let me know what you think of these.
I had this drink at a restaurant in NYC and they added a little limoncello. It took away a little of the bitterness -so delicious. I am making it today for the 4th of July and putting in a few blueberries and raspberries.
Thank you for sharing, Susan!
This one I’ve already tried…sooo good!
Great! Thanks for your review, Amy.
It took me a bit to get to the Liquor store. I am so glad I did. Really enjoyed this drink. The color is just gorgeous also. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m happy you liked it.
Love this cocktail! We are leaving for ITALY soon. Going to make one now to prepare!
Enjoy your trip and lots of this cocktail!
Prosecco can be over sweet. Try Pellegrino and a crisp Chardonnay instead. Lots of ice is a must and if you are careful you can “sunrise” your Aperol to make it even prettier!
Thanks for your suggestion, Jeff!
My hubby and I discovered the Aperol Spritz on our trip to Rome this spring. We also had them in Prague after that. We were so excited to find Aperol in our local liquor store and can’t wait to have them here at home! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome! Two amazing cities! I hope you love it.
Took a Mediterranean cruise last month and the Aperol Spritz was one of the featured cocktails at Happy Hour. I tried one, then two, then three! My new Favorite cocktail. On arriving home, I went looking for Aperol and found it! Your receipt is spot-on.
Kate,
Just one thing. You’re spot on with everything except for the recipe order. Aperol is a heavier liquid Than Prosecco. To avoid a heavy red bottom and a non-mixed drink (without having to stir) the proper way, as Campari tries to educate people on, is ice followed by a pillow of Prosecco, a blanket of Aperol (equal parts) and a splash of club soda. Garnished with a half moon slice of orange.
Thank you for sharing! I will have to try it out the way you recommend.
I was just in Italy in Sept of this year (2019) and saw someone drinking one at am outside table of a restaurant. It was so pretty I HAD to try one. Each of my 7 days in Florence, I did my walking around in the morning, go back to the hotel in early afternoon and rest, go back out and explore some more… then stop about 5 pm for an Asperol Spritz and watch the people go by. Then I’d floo find another place for my evening meal. So glad to find your recipe so I can relive my trip!
I love it! Thanks for sharing, Karen.
Never had Aperol before but turns out I really like this drink! As you suggest, I played with the proportions and and like more prosecco and club soda to dilute the sweetness.The slightly bitter flavor is nice before dinner. So, that’s why I am serving it as a Thanksgiving cocktail! Why not?
Sounds like a great cocktail to have at Thanksgiving! Thank you for your review.
Turned out super! Very refreshing and looks great too!
I was in Vienna in September and had my first one a one of their wonderful outdoor cafes. Even though it is now December I can’t quit drinking them.
Can Campari be substituted for Aperol?
This is specific to an Aperol Spritz. Sorry! :)
I had these for the first time in Rome last year and fell in love!! Will be trying this recipe very soon!
Been to Italy before and never had one. First time I had one was in Santorini last October and I loved it. Had it every single day we were there and sure enough had it again early this year in Venice. Going home after work to make one! Best way to get through another Stay-at home weekend :)
Your blog is so hard to read. It takes forever to get to your recipe and there’s ten thousand ads. I get that you gotta earn an income from tour af revenue but seriously… it’s pretty much unusable on a mobile phone.
Huge fan of aperol spritzes! I travel to Switzerland for work pretty often, and these bright orange drinks can be found on every table on warm summer evenings :) My family and I spent several weeks in Switzerland (linked to my work) two summers in a row, and my husband got hooked on them, too. We always have a bottle of aperol on hand now!
Tasty! My first time trying Aperol and this is a great summer drink. It is bitter but in a good way like grapefruit. My husband thinks it tastes like Malort. It’s so refreshing with the prosecco and soda. THANKS!
I had for the first time in Italy last September. It was so hot and the spritz was so refreshing.
Love the Aperol spritz with your recipe. I put a little more Prosecco to lighten the bitter taste of the Aperol. This has become my favorite summer drink. I’ve had this drink throughout Europe and each one in different countries has been superb.
I had my first Aperol Spritz yesterday. Can’t believe how many years I wasted not knowing this fabulous concoction. I love it
It’s so good! I’m glad you think so. I appreciate your comment and review, Howard!
Hi Kate,
A quick question. When you reference Prosecco, is your preference Prosecco frizzante or Prosecco spumante?
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter! Great question, I love bubbles so I would say spumante. But, frizzante could work too.
You wrong my friend, before Prosecco and then Aperol . No just Dry or extra dry Prosecco no absolutely Spumante
Delicious!!! This was dangerously too easy to make. A squeeze of orange zest into the drink adds that bit of a (subtle)kick too. Aperol spritz is my new go to refreshing drink. Thank you for sharing.