Aperol spritz is a light, refreshing cocktail that showcases the Italian aperitif, Aperol. The recipe is easy and the drink is a beauty!

I started enjoying Aperol because of my sister Peggy, the family mixologist. She has taught me how to make aperol spritz cocktails among many others with Italian bitter liqueurs. She is a huge fan of any bitter…it’s taken me some time to cultivate the palate for some of her favorites. But the Aperol Spritz is so light and easy that it’s a great entry drink for learning to appreciate bitters.

What is Aperol Spritz?

Aperol spritz is an Italian cocktail known for as a refreshment for a hot summer day over happy hour with light snacks. But the flavor and color are both so lush that it’s a favorite here Michigan (far, far from Italy!) all year long. It has the perfect bittersweet flavor, only a handful of ingredients, and lower alcohol content than a classic cocktail. Although the New York Times claims the aperol spritz is not a good drink (!), it’s one of my favorite cocktails that strikes the perfect balance of bitter flavors complimented by an orange wedge, and makes me feel transported to northern Italy….  Plus, the bright orange hue is reminiscent of summer sunsets, to be savored all year long. We clink “cheers” at our house no matter the calendar with our saying, “Happy Summer!”

If you’ve been in tune with spritz culture lately, you know the entire internet is buzzing about the near cousins of the aperol spritz, the other aperitivo drinks: campari spritz, spritz veneziano, and limoncello spritz. All are truly equally delicious, refreshing cocktails to serve in your favorite wine glasses, a simple drink.

Aperol Spritz Ingredients

Ice. Ice cubes from your freezer; cocktail ice is a little larger square cube that is nice here, or ice in a fun shape to match the fun of the drink. 

Aperol. Aperol spritzes’ key ingredient, essential to any classic aperol spritz recipe. Aperol is an Italian bitter known for its light bitterness and bright orange color.

Dry Prosecco. Another key to this bubble cocktail is dry prosecco. If you don’t have any on hand, another sparkling wine subs in.

Club Soda. Most of the carbonation will be from the prosecco, but a splash of club soda really seals the deal and makes this the most refreshing drink. 

Fresh Orange Slices. A fresh orange slice is like the cherry on top of a perfect aperol spritz! If you prefer not to have the whole wedge in your drink, just the orange peel looks fabulous too and imparts light orange flavor.

How to Make an Aperol Spritz

Step 1. Use your favorite wine glasses, and fill it 3/4 full with ice, then equal parts of aperol and prosecco. Top with club soda, and tuck in your slice of orange.

No special equipment, cocktail shaker, or talents necessary! 

What Prosecco is best to use?

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine, much like Spanish cava.  Any brand is good, this isn’t really the time to splurge on champagne. You’ll get the same bubbly effect without the expense, plus, prosecco is what makes for the best aperol spritz. You can find bottles of prosecco, La Marca or any equivalent, in your local grocery or liquor store. 

Tips and Alternatives

The best way to ensure less bitterness but use the same easy aperol spritz recipe is to simply adjust the spritz ratio. It calls for equal parts prosecco and equal parts aperol, so using less aperol will do the trick. Alternatively, for a stronger sip, use more of the Italian bitter and only a splash of soda water. 

Any non-flavored sparkling water works in place of club soda.

If you don’t have prosecco or sparkling wine, use whatever dry white wine you have on hand, plus an additional part soda water for the carbonation. 

You can find a bottle of aperol, an italian aperitif, near the liqueurs at the liquor store. 

If you want to take this orange drink over the top, add a splash of orange juice. 

Avoid crushed ice, which melts quickly and waters down the flavor of the spritz

Serve your first aperol spritz with a nibble, Italian style with antipasto skewers, a caprese salad, or any of my delicious Mediterranean mezze recipes!