Aperol Spritz Recipe

A simple delicious recipe for Aperol Spritz – Light, refreshing and incredibly thirst-quenching this prosecco cocktail is just what the doctor ordered on a hot summer’s day! 

Say hello to the most refreshing and wildly popular cocktail in Europe right now… the Aperol Spritz!

What is an Aperol Spritz?

An Aperol Spritz in essence, is a refreshing Champagne Cocktail made with sparkling wine or champagne, Aperol or Amaro, and a splash of soda, over ice. Perfect for hot summer nights!

If unfamiliar, Aperol is a low-alcohol, digestivo- a bitter liqueur made from herbs and flowers, originating from Italy in the early 1900’s.  Aperol is a type or brand of Amaro (similar digestivos) that brilliantly came up with its own cocktail.

Ingredients in an Aperol Spritz?

1. Prosecco, Champagne, Cava or Sparkling wine
2. Aperol (or other Amaros-  Aperol is a type of Amaro, and honestly, kind of a basic one. There are other more interesting, complex Amaros out there that make this spritz even better!)
3. club soda or mineral water
4. Garnish: a few slices of orange, fresh berries, mint or edible flowers!
5.  Ice.

So keep in mind, those of you who are cocktail connoisseurs, don’t have to actually use Aperol, feel free to find an Amaro with a little more character. Aperol is a tad sweet for me personally, but perhaps okay for the younger palate. There are many smaller labels of Amaros popping up with so much more complexity, even some state-side.

What I love about Aperol Spritz

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it could happen. Starting in Amsterdam, I began noticing all the brightly colored orange drinks called Aperol Spritz’s at outdoor cafes and thought, wow, that looks incredibly unappetizing! They are just way too … orange! I stuck with my rosé and prosecco.

Then came Berlin and Prague and the heatwave. More orange cocktails. Everywhere! Mind you it was sweltering hot and these orange drinks were served over ice.  A little more tempting, but still I refrained.

Then Vienna, where temperatures were almost unbearable, and yes, more icy orange drinks! What is happening I thought?!  I dug my heels in and stuck with my usual.

Until Budapest. Where I totally caved.

We had just arrived, hot and sweaty and wilting under the hot sun and the waiter suggested that I have an Aperol Spritz and in my weakened state, I just nodded my head yes, too tired to object.

It went down like punch. So cool and refreshing with just a hint of bitter, disappearing in minutes.

Not overly sweet, just right.

We’ve been here in Budapest 3 days now and well, as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve drunk the cool-aid, so to speak.  I’m a believer now, spritzin’ it up all over town.  Haha!

So anyway, just I thought I’d share. 🙂

How to Make an Aperol Spritz:

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Add 1/3 cup champagne or prosecco (3 ounces)
3. Add 1/8 cup Aperol ( 1 1/2 ounces) or another Amaro
4. Add a splash, or up to a 1/4 cup of club soda (2 ounces)
5. Garnish with orange slices and mint, or fancy it up a bit with frozen berries and mint.

Give the ol’ Aperol Spritz a try…. and please share how you make this basic recipe even better! I love how creative you are!

Cheers friends,

Sylvia

Aperol Spritz Recipe

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• Author: Sylvia Fountaine
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink 1x
• Category: cocktail
• Method: poured
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

How to make an Aperol Spritz! A refreshing summer cocktail served over ice perfect for hot summer nights!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1/2x1x2x

1. 3–4 ounces prosecco ( use a good quality brand)
2. 1–2 ounces Aperol ( or sub a smaller, better brand of Amaro)
3. Splash of club soda ( 1-2 ounces)
4. Orange slices and mint
5. other additions: frozen summer berries, mint or another fresh herb, a splash of bitters ( I like grapefruit)

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Instructions

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Add 1/2 cup champagne or prosecco ( 4 ounces)
3. Add 1/4 cup Aperol or equivalent  (2 ounces)
4. Add a splash or up to a 1/4 cup of club soda ( 2 ounces)
5. Garnish with orange slices, frozen berries, mint. For extra bitter, add a dash of bitters.

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Notes

The better the prosecco, the better the drink. Try other Amaros- you don’t have to stick with Aperol if you like more complexity!

To make this into a punch for a gathering, mix:

1. 1 bottle prosecco
2. 10-12 ounces of Aperol or Amaro
3. 1 cup of soda
4. Taste and adjust flavor, adding more Aperol or soda if you like.
5. add oranges slices and mint springs.
6. Add ice right before serving or on the side!

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Nutrition

• Calories: 235