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Discover the perfect balance of sweet, bitter, and bubbly in a classic Aperol Spritz! This easy-to-make Italian cocktail is a refreshing choice for any occasion. The sweetness of Prosecco perfectly complements the subtle bitterness of Aperol, making it a light and delightful drink.
Discover more simple and satisfying single serve cocktails! Enjoy the gingery bite of a Moscow Mule, the sweet and sassy Dirty Shirley, the vibrant layers of a Tequila Sunrise, or the minty freshness of a Mint Julep.
Why You’ll Love This Aperol Spritz Recipe
- Perfectly balanced flavors: The Aperol adds a touch of bitterness, the Prosecco provides sweetness and bubbles, and the club soda lightens the drink with extra fizz.
- Refreshingly simple: Subtle Aperol, sweet Prosecco, and bubbly club soda combine for a thirst-quenching delight.
- Deliciously versatile: The harmonious blend of flavors creates a great base that’s easy to customize to your taste.
- A taste of Venice: This is the authentic recipe I enjoyed during my time in Venice – simple and delicious!
- Easy to scale: Recipe doubles perfectly for sharing with friends.
What Is An Aperol Spritz?
Discover the Aperol Spritz, a vibrant orange Italian cocktail that embodies the ‘aperitivo’ tradition – a drink meant to stimulate your appetite before a meal. This refreshing concoction is a beautiful harmony of sweet, bitter, and sparkling flavors. It features Aperol, an Italian apéritif with a unique bittersweet taste from bitter orange, gentian, and herbs. Prosecco, a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region of Italy, adds sweetness and celebratory bubbles. Finally, a splash of club soda or sparkling water dilutes the drink and adds an extra touch of fizz.
The Aperol Spritz likely originated in the Veneto region during the early 1900s as a way to soften the bitterness of Aperol. Its irresistible combination of flavors quickly propelled it to popularity throughout Italy and eventually the rest of the world.
Ingredients
See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Aperol: Aperol is an apéritif that is a vibrant red-orange color. It has a lower alcohol content (about 11%) and is infused with oranges, herbs, and roots. You can find it near the liqueurs in many liquor stores. You can also substitute it with Campari for a more bitter edge.
- Prosecco: Any dry sparkling wine can be used in place of Prosecco. Cava or champagne would also work well.
- Club soda: This ingredient adds a little fizz to the drink and also dilutes it just a bit. You may use unflavored sparkling water instead.
- An orange slice: For garnish.
- Ice
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
- Campari Spritz: Swap Aperol for Campari for a more intense bitterness.
- Spritz Hugo: Add a splash of elderflower syrup and fresh mint for a refreshing twist.
- Cynar Spritz: Substitute Aperol with Cynar to enjoy a deeper, more herbal bitterness.
- Dessert Cocktail: Simply add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the cocktail and enjoy.
Remember, the beauty of an Aperol Spritz lies in its simplicity and balance. Whether you stick with the classic or try a variation, this single serving recipe ensures you can enjoy this Italian staple whenever you want, one perfectly crafted glass at a time.
How To Make An Aperol Spritz
This is the recipe that was given to me during my time in Venice. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and make your perfect Aperol Spritz.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Prosecco
- 1/3 cup Aperol
- 1/3 cup club soda or sparkling water.
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a glass and fill with ice.
- Garnish with a slice of orange if you’d like.
Simple and delicious.
Expert Tips
- Chilled Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients are well chilled before making your spritz for the best taste.
- Quality Prosecco: While Aperol is the star, using a good quality Prosecco can elevate your cocktail to new heights.
- Stir Gently: Once you’ve built your drink in the glass, stir gently to mix the ingredients without losing the effervescence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are non-alcoholic versions of Aperol available on the market. Pair it with alcohol-free sparkling wine for a delightful mocktail.
To maintain the bubbles and fresh taste, it’s best to make an Aperol Spritz immediately before serving.
A large wine glass or a tumbler will work just fine.
An orange slice is traditional, but feel free to experiment with grapefruit or lemon slices, or even a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic twist.
How To Serve An Aperol Spritz
- Presentation: Serve your Aperol Spritz chilled in a wine glass with a fresh orange slice for garnish.
- Perfect Pairings: Enjoy your drink with light appetizers like:
- Olives
- Chips and your favorite dip
- A simple cheese and cracker selection
- Ideal Occasion: The Aperol Spritz is a fantastic choice for a warm evening sundowner.
If you’ve tried this Aperol Spritz recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Easy Aperol Spritz Recipe
Equipment
- wine glass
Ingredients
- Ice
- ⅓ cup Prosecco
- ⅓ cup Aperol
- ⅓ cup soda water or sparkling water
- 1 orange slice -optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice. Add Prosecco to the glass followed by Aperol and soda water.
- Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Chilled Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients are well chilled before making your spritz for the best taste.
-
- Quality Prosecco: While Aperol is the star, using a good quality Prosecco can elevate your cocktail to new heights.
-
- Stir Gently: Once you’ve built your drink in the glass, stir gently to mix the ingredients without losing the effervescence.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I’m really curious why did you decide to make meals for one i’m so happy you did because i’m alone and cooking for one is so hard i either have to give what i made to all the town or eat it for the next 6 weeks
Love Aperol Spritz….if making it for one and don’t want to open a bottle of Prosecco, I use San Pelligrino or other brand of blood orange Soda Also makes a nice variation of Campari Soda.
Great idea, Lesley. Thank you for sharing your tip.
Have a wonderful weekend!