Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (2024)

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Learn how to make a classic Italian co*cktail, the Aperol Spritz.

In this article you'll find the original recipe 3-2-1 and 2 easy variations, onewithout Proseccoand amodernone.

Note: All three Aperol Spritz recipes are in ml and cups/tablespoons for easier measurements.

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (1)
Jump to:
  • What is Aperol
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • The Variations
  • Food Pairing
  • 🎥Recipe Video
  • 📖 Recipe
  • FAQ

What is Aperol

Aperolis an Italian aperitif with scents of bitter orange and rhubarb as the dominant flavors and other herb infusions that complete its character.

It has a distinctive bright orange color, and the taste starts sweet but ends with a pleasant bitterness.

What is Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritzis an Italian drink and according to foundinitaly.com itoriginated in the Veneto region of northern Italy in 1919.

It was invented as a means to combat the heat and humidity of Italy’s summer months. It became popular among people who wanted something light to sip on before dinner, and today it's one of the most favored summer co*cktail recipes.

If you ask me, making an Aperol Spritz co*cktail is probably the best way you can use a bottle of Aperol.

Aperol vs Campari

The two drinks have some similarities (they’re both infusions of fruit and herbs in a bitter liqueur) but they're not the same.

Campari has a heavier, rich wood-rhubarb-floral flavor profile with 22% ABV approximately (this depends on the country in which it is being sold). Campari is used for thissimple Negroni co*cktail recipe.

Aperol is lighter with mandarin and orange peel notes, higher sugar content and approximately half the alcohol (11% ABV). It also has less bitter flavor than Campari.

If you only have Campari, you can use it instead of Aperol to make a Spritz co*cktail.

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (2)

Ingredients

If you want to make the classic Aperol spritz recipe at home, you'll need the following simple ingredients:

  • Prosecco
  • Aperol
  • Soda water
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slices or orange peel for a traditional garnish

For the 3-2-1 recipe the ratios are 3 parts Prosecco (90ml), 2 parts Aperol (60ml) and 1 part soda water (30ml).

However, many times I adjust the recipe to my personal taste and use just a splash of club soda or I omit it completely, because I find that the soda water weakens the flavor of this refreshing drink.

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (3)

Instructions

Making this Italian apéritif only requires having the ingredients and the serving glass. No shaking and no using special co*cktail equipment. The steps are:

1. Twist the orange peel inside the glass in order to release its essential oils. You can also gently rub it on the inside of the glass.

2. Pour the Prosecco, the Aperol, and the soda water in the glass and stir very gently.

3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and garnish with an orange slice.

Useful Tips

A secret for extra flavor:Twist a piece of orange peel inside the glass and gently rub it on the interior of the glass. The essential oils from the peel will give extra flavor to your drink.

Have all the ingredients chilled. This will help the drink stay cold for longer time and the ice won't melt quickly, diluting your co*cktail.

Garnish with a slice of orange or a piece of orange peel. It makes a difference!

Don't use an already opened bottle of Prosecco. If the Prosecco has been opened for more than a day, it will probably be less fizzy and less flavorful.

A secret for more bubbles:Pour the liquids first, add the ice at the end. Most bartenders pour the drink over ice because that way it runs across the surface of the ice and cools faster (so your drink is colder).

However, this does two things. Firstly it creates a thermal shock to the sparkling drink and secondly it creates more surface for the carbon dioxide to accumulate and form bubbles.

Both these things result in less bubbles in the finished drink. So add the ice at the end!

Substitutions

Aperol Substitute

The best Aperol substitute when making this popular co*cktail is Campari.

Campari has similar flavors and it's just as easy to find in a liquor store as Aperol. In this case your co*cktail will probably be a Campari Spritz or a Spritz Veneziano (though Spritz Veneziano has equal parts Prosecco, Campari and soda water).

Prosecco Substitute

Prosecco is an Italian wine controlled by DOC or DOCG and it's usually spumante (sparkling) or frizzante (semi-sparkling). You can read more details in the articlewhat is Proseccofrom visitproseccoitaly.com.

A popular Prosecco substitute for Aperol Spritz is a sparkling dry white wine.Champagneis the most obvious choice (it doesn't have to be an expensive one) but other dry white sparkling wines from any region of the world are just as fine.

If you like a sweeter aperitif you can tryMoscato D’Astiwhich is a sweet Italian Sparkling wine. You can find more information about Moscato D'Asti and other wines in this article:Mediterranean sweet dessert wines.

Soda water.

Instead of soda water you can use sparkling water or Seltzer. Their differences are minimal. Tonic water can also be used if that's all you have.

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (4)

The Variations

Aperol Spritz without Prosecco.

As mentioned in the Substitutions section, any Sparkling white wine will do. And I say sparkling, because you can't have a Spritz without the bubbles.

Choose a dry one for a similar taste (such as Champagne or Spanish Cava), or a sweet (like Moscato D' Asti) for a richer, more sweet version. The ratios:

  • 3 parts sparkling white wine
  • 2 parts Aperol
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slices or orange peel for garnish

I have to confess that I prefer the version with Moscato D' Asti even more than the classic recipe!

Modern Aperol Spritz recipe

Aperol published a new recipe which highlights the character of this aperitif. It’s nothing much complicated.

The ingredients stay the same but the proportions are slightly different, with equal parts Aperol and Prosecco and a dash of soda water.

  • 3 parts Prosecco
  • 3 parts Aperol
  • A splash of soda water

Food Pairing

Aperol Spritz will pair well with salty snacks like salted roasted peanuts, potato chips, pop corn, and green olives. Because of the bittersweet flavor, it goes well with goat cheese and spicy dishes like Thai and Indian cuisine. It will also pair perfectly with the following:

  • Pitacos – Pita bread tacos with minced beef and beans
  • Roasted chickpeas (oven and air fryer directions)
  • Make a Cheese Board in 5 simple steps
  • Chicken lettuce wraps (Mediterranean style)

Similar Spritz recipes

  • TheVenetian Spritz, incorporating bitter liqueur Select, Aperol, Campari or Cynar (recipe from stevethebartender.com.au)
  • TheLambrusco Spritz, incorporating Amaro and Lambrusco wine (recipe from giadzy.com)
  • TheLa Quebrada Spritz, incorporating mezcal and grapefruit juice (recipe from punchdrink.com)

If you're a wine lover, you may also like this Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay wine - A comparison guide.

🎥Recipe Video

📖 Recipe

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (9)

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations)

Makos

Learn how to make a classic Italian Aperol Spritz co*cktail. See the original 3-2-1 recipe and 2 variations, including one without Prosecco.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course co*cktails, Drinks

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Servings 1

Calories 205 kcal

Ingredients

For the classic recipe 3-2-1

  • 6 tablespoons (90 g) Prosecco (3 parts)
  • 4 tablespoons (60 g) Aperol (2 parts)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) soda water (1 part)
  • ice cubes
  • Orange slice and orange peel

Instructions

  • Twist the orange peel inside the glass in order to release its essential oils. You can also gently rub it on the inside of the glass.

  • Pour the Prosecco, the Aperol, and the soda water in the glass and stir very gently.

  • Fill the glass with ice cubes and garnish with an orange slice.

Notes

Instructions remain the same for both variations.

Aperol Spritz without Prosecco:

  • 90ml sparkling white wine
  • 60ml Aperol
  • Ice cubes
  • An orange slice.

The sparkling white wine can be dry such as french Champagne or Spanish Cava, or sweet like the Italian Moscato D' Asti (this is my favorite choice!).

.

Modern Aperol Spritz recipe:

  • 90ml Prosecco
  • 90ml Aperol
  • A splash of soda water
  • Ice cubes
  • An orange slice

Tips:

For an extra chilled drink, store the wine, the Aperol, and the soda in the fridge a few hours before serving. This way the ice cubes will not melt fast and dilute your drink.

Add the ice cubes at the beginning or at the end? It actually doesn’t make a dramatic difference, but if you want to preserve most of the bubbles it is best to add the ice cubes at the end.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

FAQ

What is the alcohol content of Aperol Spritz?

A bottle of Aperol has 11% alcohol content just like most Prosecco.
Since Aperol spritz is mainly made from these ingredients with the addition of some soda and ice, the alcohol content is even less than 11%.
That's why it's safe to say that this is a low-alcohol co*cktail.

What kind of glass to use?

A tall balloon or large wine glass approximately 380-420 ml is recommended.

When to drink Aperol Spritz?

In Italy, an aperitivo is the drink you have before a meal. The word is derived from the Latin "aperire" which means “to open”, meaning to stilmulate your appetite before dinner.
The experience of aperitivo is part of the Italian tradition and according to goaheadtours.com theaperitivo houris between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. During this time the Italians have the chance to unwind nd socialize before dinner while sipping refreshing drinks.
Aperol spritz is ideal as a late afternoon drink on a warm summer day but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying it at a later hour after dinner or even serve it with brunch.

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  1. Akhila @ Pepper Delight

    Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (16)
    I hope it is okay to say that I never heard of this drink before, lol..But it sounds really refreshing!!
    Thanks for sharing..!

    Reply

    • Makos

      Then you should definitely try it the first chance you get! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Maria V.

    Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (17)

    Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (18)
    The most refreshing drink. Everyone loved it

    Reply

    • Makos

      Thank you Maria 🙂

      Reply

  3. Julia

    Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (19)
    The Aperol Spritz with the Moschato D’Asti was amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe

    Reply

    • Makos

      Thank you!

      Reply

    • George

      Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (20)
      The variation with the Moscato D' Asti has become our favorite one.
      Thanks!!!

      Reply

      • Makos

        Hi George, yes I have to admit that it's delicious!

        Reply

  4. Mary

    Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (21)
    Hey Makos, the variations are very interesting! I have made it with Campari too and it was very nice. Wish you a good day

    Reply

    • Makos

      That's great Mary, have a wonderful day!

      Reply

Aperol Spritz recipe (classic + 2 easy variations) (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for 3 2 1 spritz? ›

Making the perfect Aperol Spritz is as easy as 3-2-1. That's a ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda water (or 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, and 30ml soda). Aperol Spritz is best served with ice, in a wine glass, garnished with a slice of orange, in good company.

Can I use sparkling water instead of soda for Aperol Spritz? ›

Second, I love to use lots of different kinds of sparkling water/club soda. You are only going to use a splash of it in the co*cktail itself, so open something that you plan to drink the rest of.

What can you substitute for Prosecco in Aperol Spritz? ›

That's three parts prosecco, two parts aperitif (like your Select or Aperol), and one part soda water. “ You can play around with this by keeping the structure the same, but replacing the ingredients,” Tonelli explains. “For example, add Lambrusco or hard apple cider instead of prosecco.”

What are the ingredients in Aperol? ›

Aperol's key ingredients include bitter rhubarb, vegetal gentian root, and cinchona, a tree bark which gives tonic water its characteristic bitterness. Alongside other fruits, flowers, and plants, the ingredients in Aperol combine into a citrusy aroma that has an herbal backbone.

What is a 2 1 1 drink ratio? ›

The 2-1-1 co*cktail Formula

The ratio refers to 2 ounces of spirit, 1 ounce of sweet, and 1 ounce of sour. Here we've provided examples of each element, but keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive: Spirits: Aperol, campari, gin, mezcal, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, wine, etc.

What is the formula for a spritz? ›

A gin spritz, for instance, could be 2 ounces gin, 2 ounces dry curacao, and 4 ounces of sparkling wine (or a combination of 2 ounces sparkling wine and 2 ounces of kombucha). If you want to make a kind of trashy mezcal spritz, try 2 ounces mezcal, 2 ounces Aperol, and 4 ounces lemon-lime soda.

What is a stronger version of Aperol Spritz? ›

“Rather than Aperol, try swapping in Campari for your next spritz,” says Wisrawan. “Though it's a bit more bitter than Aperol, I find Campari has a bolder and longer-lasting aftertaste thanks to its higher alcohol content.”

What makes Aperol Spritz bitter? ›

Aperol Spritz contains alcohol but not too much (11% ABV) so it's perfect for a pre-dinner drink. It's made with infusions of sweet and bitter oranges, rhubarb, gentian, herbs and roots.

What soda water is best for Aperol? ›

Fever-Tree's soda-like bubbles and slightly acidic flavor makes it the best club soda for Aperol Spritz lovers. The bubbles will mimic and complement the bubbles from the Prosecco, and the bright but not overpowering acidity will brighten the zesty, bittersweet Aperol even more.

What is the closest thing to Aperol? ›

Another close substitute for Aperol is Lillet. Although this aperitif is French instead of Italian, Lillet also makes an excellent, complex Spritz.

What is the sweet version of Aperol Spritz? ›

Another common variation on the Aperol Spritz is to use Rose prosecco in place of white. Many popular prosecco brands over a rose option, which will make your co*cktail sweeter and with an added layer of complex flavors. It also makes for a really beautiful, sunset-colored drink.

What do Italians drink instead of Prosecco? ›

If you like sweet or sparkling wines, aperitivo is the time to drink them: Prosecco (sparkling white wine), Spumante (a sweet or dry sparkling white wine), Fragolino (a sweet sparkling red wine), Brachetto (sweet, sparkling red wine) are all excellent aperitivo drinks.

Is Aperol full of sugar? ›

A generic 170ml glass of Aperol Spritz contains total carbs 36g, fat 0g, dietary fiber 0g, protein 0g, sugars 36g and 177 calories.

What does the word "apéritif" mean in English? ›

: an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer.

Is Aperol good for your stomach? ›

Feeling full after eating, don't worry, Aperol's got you. It also works as a great digestive after a meal. You can have them all day, every day – Best to be consumed whenever you feel like it.

What's the easy 3/2:1 spritz formula to use for sparkling wine and soda with any liqueur? ›

Making the perfect Aperol Spritz is as easy as 3-2-1. That's a ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda water. If you're measuring, that's 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda. If you're not measuring, just pour and judge by the colour.

What is the formula for 1 2 3 n? ›

1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n = n ( n + 1 ) 2 i.e. the sum of the first n natural numbers is n ( n + 1 ) 2 . Q. Assertion :The variance of first n natural numbers is n2−16 Reason: The sum and the sum of squares of first n natural numbers are n(n+1)2 and n(n+1)(2n+1)6 respectively.

What is the ratio of a BBQ spritz? ›

You can keep it simple with a meat spritz recipe of a 50/50 blend of ACV and water. But with a few extra ingredients, you can really enhance the flavour profile of your smoked meats.

What is the co*cktail formula? ›

Two parts base spirit to one part sweet to one part sour. Let's take it one step at a time. Start with your base spirit. It can be any of your main categories of liquor—whiskey, gin, vodka, etc.

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