Discover the Refreshing Taste of the Aperol Spritz (2024)

Aperol spritz is one of the best ways to enjoy this Italian apéritif. For most people, Aperol is too bittersweet to drink straight, but some enjoy it with a twist of orange. In its signature co*cktail, the liqueur's distinct orange flavor is simultaneously softened and enhanced with prosecco and soda. It's a splendid and refreshing drink with a cheery, bright orange color, tons of sparkle, and an invigorating citrus taste that tantalizes the taste buds.

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Commonly seen on piazzas and outdoor tables at neighborhood bars during the hot days of summer, this classic northern Italian low-alcohol co*cktail is ready in no-time and makes a wonderful pre-dinner drink—serve with some creamy and fatty appetizers to take the bitter edge off the co*cktail.

Called the "Aperol spritz ritual," there's a certain order to the pour for this recipe. First the ice, then the prosecco, followed by Aperol and a splash of soda. By pouring the Italian sparkling wine before the liqueur, the Aperol will not settle and there's no need to stir the drink. Just leave the mixing to the bubbles of the wine and soda. Garnish with an orange slice for a classic look.

"This recipe is a great version to make at home. While most “Spritz’s” you find at a restaurant will be served in a wine glass, the proportions of this recipe translate perfectly to a highball. Slightly bitter, slightly sweet, but overtly enjoyable, it is easy to understand why this co*cktail rules the midday menus." —Sean Johnson

Discover the Refreshing Taste of the Aperol Spritz (2)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

1 orange slice
3 ounces prosecco, chilled
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2 ounces Aperol
1/2 ounce club soda

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.
Add ice and an orange slice to a tall glass.
Pour in the prosecco, then Aperol.
Top off with a splash of soda.
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Serve and enjoy.

For the Best Aperol Spritz

Add the orange slice at any point. It's really nice when integrated into the ice as suggested in the recipe, or you can add it as a garnish at the end.
Due to its Italian roots, prosecco is the wine of choice for a true Aperol spritz, though any sparkling wine will work fine.
Pour this drink as tall as you like or to fill your glass. It can also be made in any style of glass and it's commonly served in stemmed glassware, such as a white wine glass. For a shorter drink, pick up your favorite old-fashioned glass.

Adjust the Ratios to Your Taste

Adjust the ratio of Aperol and prosecco to suit your taste. The recipe uses the popular 3:2:1 ratio, while some fans of the drink enjoy it with equal parts of liqueur and wine.
It's not traditional, but a shot of top-shelf vodka—particularly citrus vodka—is a nice addition to this drink.

How Strong Is an Aperol Spritz?

Aperol is bottled at 11 percent ABV (22 proof), so it's the same strength as the average prosecco. When the two come together in the Aperol spritz, the drink's alcohol content is around 8 percent ABV (16 proof). If you'd like to make it lighter, pour less Aperol and wine and make up the difference with soda.

When Was Aperol Created?

The Italian liqueur was developed by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri after they inherited a liqueur company from their father in 1912. The story says that it took them seven years to perfect the recipe and Aperol was officially released in 1919. Over the next few decades, it gained popularity in Italy. Apéritivos are part of Italian dinner traditions and the brand became known for fashionable and eye-catching marketing campaigns with poster artwork that rivaled Campari's iconic advertisem*nts. The Aperol spritz was created in the 1950s and saw a revival in the early 2000s as drinkers worldwide rediscovered its captivating taste. Appropriately, the Aperol brand is owned today by the Campari Group.

What Kind of Alcohol Is Aperol?

Aperol is a unique distilled spirit that doesn't conveniently fit into a single category of liquor. The label calls it a liqueur, though it's not sweet like other orange liqueurs such as Cointreau and Grand Marnier. Instead, it follows the flavor profile of an apéritif—bitter, herbal, and dry. Adding to the confusion, the recipe for Aperol is a tightly guarded secret; officially, it's an infusion of oranges and "selected herbs and roots." Sweet and bitter oranges and rhubarb are known ingredients, and it may include gentian and cinchona as well. Whatever goes into it, the orange-colored liqueur has a zesty, bittersweet orange taste with herbal and woody accents. It's comparable to Campari but distinctly different; Aperol is citrus-forward, lighter in flavor, and not as bitter.

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White Wines
Liqueurs

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
218	Calories
0g	Fat
24g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	218
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 24g	9%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 10mg	50%
Calcium 18mg	1%
Iron 0mg	2%
Potassium 92mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

champagne
co*cktail
italian
party

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