Aperol Spritz: Easy 3-2-1 Italian Cocktail in 2 Minutes
This Aperol Spritz is my favorite way to start a summer evening or a weekend brunch with friends. Crisp prosecco, bittersweet orange Aperol and a splash of soda are poured over a glass full of ice, then finished with a fresh orange slice. It’s bubbly, bright and just a little bitter, and that glowing sunset color makes everyone smile.
It takes about two minutes to make, needs only three ingredients, and follows a simple ratio you’ll remember forever. A bottle of Aperol and two bottles of prosecco make about a dozen drinks, which works out to around $3 each, far less than at a bar.
Prep: 2 minutes | Cook: 0 minutes | Total: 2 minutes | Serves: 1 | Diet: contains alcohol (21+)
Why You’ll Love This Aperol Spritz
- Three ingredients. Prosecco, Aperol and soda, plus an orange slice.
- Easy ratio. Just remember 3-2-1.
- Light and refreshing. Lower in alcohol than most cocktails.
- Party friendly. Easy to scale up into a pitcher.
- Pretty. That bright orange color looks festive in any glass.
What Is an Aperol Spritz?
The spritz is a classic Italian aperitivo, a light drink served before dinner to wake up the appetite. It comes from northern Italy, especially the Veneto region around Venice, where locals have been mixing wine with a splash of water or soda for well over a century. Aperol, a bright orange bitter liqueur first made in Padua in 1919, became the star of the most famous version. It tastes like bitter orange and rhubarb with a gentle herbal edge, and it’s lower in alcohol than many spirits. Mixed with dry, bubbly prosecco and a little soda, it becomes the refreshing, bittersweet drink you see on cafe tables all over Italy. In Italy, it’s almost always served with small salty snacks, like olives, chips or little sandwiches.
The 3-2-1 Ratio
The classic recipe is easy to memorize: 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol and 1 part soda. For one drink, that’s 3 ounces of prosecco, 2 ounces of Aperol and 1 ounce of club soda. This ratio gives a balanced Aperol Spritz that’s bubbly, gently bitter and not too sweet. If you prefer it lighter, use a bit more soda. If you like it stronger and more bitter, add a splash more Aperol. Once you know the ratio, you can make it without measuring by eye, though a jigger helps the first few times.
Ingredients for an Aperol Spritz
You’ll need a large wine glass, a jigger or measuring spoons and a long spoon.
For 1 Cocktail
- Plenty of ice cubes
- 3 ounces chilled prosecco (90ml)
- 2 ounces Aperol (60ml)
- 1 ounce chilled club soda or sparkling water (30ml)
- 1 orange slice or half-wheel, for garnish
For a Pitcher (6 Drinks)
- 1 (750ml) bottle chilled prosecco
- 1 1/2 cups Aperol (360ml)
- 3/4 cup chilled club soda (180ml)
- 1 orange, sliced
Ingredient Notes
Prosecco: Choose a dry (brut) prosecco. You don’t need anything fancy, a $10 to $15 bottle is perfect. Any dry sparkling wine, like cava, works too.
Aperol: The bright orange Italian aperitivo. Keep it at room temperature or chilled.
Club soda: It adds fizz and lightens the drink. Plain sparkling water works just as well.
Ice: Use plenty of fresh, large ice cubes. More ice means slower melting and a colder drink.
Orange: A fresh orange slice adds aroma and looks beautiful. Blood orange is lovely in winter.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz
- Fill the Glass. Fill a large wine glass or balloon glass to the top with ice.
- Pour the Prosecco. Pour in the chilled prosecco first. Adding it first keeps the Aperol from settling at the bottom.
- Add the Aperol. Pour the Aperol over the prosecco. It will swirl into a bright orange color.
- Top with Soda. Add the splash of club soda.
- Stir Gently. Give it one gentle stir with a long spoon from the bottom up to blend without knocking out the bubbles.
- Garnish and Serve. Tuck an orange slice into the glass and serve right away while it’s cold and fizzy.
Choosing the Right Glass and Garnish
Presentation is half the fun of a spritz. In Italy, it’s usually served in a large stemmed wine glass or a short, wide tumbler, and both work at home. A stemmed glass keeps your hand from warming the drink, and the wide bowl shows off that glowing color. If you don’t have big wine glasses, a sturdy rocks glass or even a mason jar is perfectly fine for a backyard gathering. For the garnish, a thin orange half-wheel slipped down the side of the glass is classic. Some bars add a green olive on a pick, which sounds odd but tastes great with the bittersweet orange. A sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme adds a lovely aroma for fall and winter parties.
Making It Less Sweet or More Bitter
Taste is personal, and the Aperol Spritz is easy to adjust. If it tastes too sweet, use an extra dry or brut nature prosecco and add a little more soda. If you love bitter flavors, swap half the Aperol for Campari. A squeeze of fresh orange or a few drops of lemon juice can also brighten it up.
Tips for the Best Aperol Spritz
Chill everything. Cold prosecco and soda keep the drink bubbly and refreshing.
Fill the glass with ice. It sounds like a lot, but a full glass of ice keeps the drink from getting watery.
Pour prosecco first. Aperol is heavier and will sink to the bottom if you pour it first.
Stir gently, once. Too much stirring knocks out the bubbles.
Use a big glass. A large wine or balloon glass gives room for ice and bubbles.
How to Make a Pitcher for a Party
To serve a crowd, add a sliced orange to a large pitcher, then pour in one chilled 750ml bottle of prosecco, 1 1/2 cups of Aperol and 3/4 cup of club soda. Stir gently once. Don’t add ice to the pitcher, since it waters down the drink. Instead, let guests pour over glasses full of ice. This makes about 6 drinks. Mix it right before serving so it stays fizzy, and keep a second bottle of prosecco chilled for refills.
Enjoy Responsibly
An Aperol Spritz is lighter than many cocktails, but it still contains alcohol from both the Aperol and the wine. It’s for adults 21 and over, and it’s best sipped slowly with food. If you’re curious how much alcohol is in a typical drink, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains what counts as a standard drink. Always have a non-alcoholic option for guests, and never drink and drive.
Easy Variations
- Campari spritz: Swap the Aperol for Campari for a more bitter, deeper red drink.
- Hugo-style: Use elderflower liqueur, mint and lime instead of Aperol.
- Grapefruit: Add a splash of fresh grapefruit juice and a grapefruit slice.
- Lighter: Use 2 ounces of soda for a lower-alcohol spritz.
- Alcohol-free: Mix a non-alcoholic bitter orange aperitif with alcohol-free sparkling wine and soda.
What This Recipe Costs
Here’s roughly what I paid this fall: a 750ml bottle of Aperol $25 (makes about 12 drinks), prosecco $12 a bottle (about 8 drinks per bottle), club soda $1.25 and oranges $1.50. That’s about $3 per Aperol Spritz, compared to $12 or more at a restaurant.
What to Serve with It
In true aperitivo style, serve your spritz with something salty. Olives, potato chips, roasted nuts, cheese and crackers and cured meats are classic. For homemade bites, try my smoked salmon avocado toast bites. If you’re putting together a drinks menu, add my raspberry lime rickey as a non-alcoholic option and my apple cider mojito for fall.
Storage Tips
A spritz is best made fresh and served right away. Once opened, Aperol keeps for months in a cool, dark place. Leftover prosecco can be sealed with a sparkling wine stopper and kept in the fridge for 1 to 2 days, though it slowly loses fizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make an Aperol Spritz with prosecco?
Fill a wine glass with ice, add 3 ounces of prosecco, 2 ounces of Aperol and 1 ounce of soda, stir once and garnish with an orange slice.
What does an Aperol Spritz taste like?
It’s bright, bubbly and bittersweet, with notes of orange, rhubarb and herbs. It’s less bitter than drinks made with Campari.
Can I use champagne instead of prosecco?
Yes. Any dry sparkling wine works. Prosecco is traditional and a little fruitier.
How strong is an Aperol Spritz?
It’s on the lighter side for a cocktail, since Aperol is low in alcohol and the drink is topped with soda. It still contains alcohol, so enjoy it in moderation.
Can I make it ahead?
It’s best mixed right before serving. For parties, chill all the ingredients ahead of time and mix a pitcher just before guests arrive.
Mix One Tonight
The Aperol Spritz is proof that a great cocktail can be simple. Three ingredients, a glass full of ice and an orange slice give you a bubbly Italian classic in two minutes. For more easy sips, browse my drink recipes.
If this spritz brightened your evening, share the recipe with a friend who loves Italian cocktails, and follow me on Pinterest for more easy drinks. After you mix one, scroll down to the recipe card and leave a star rating, then tell me in the comments which snacks you served with it. Cheers, and enjoy responsibly!
