Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe
Andi Healey
Web Manager
The Aperol Spritz is effortless Italian elegance in a glass - bittersweet Aperol, bubbly Prosecco, and a splash of soda create that iconic sunset-orange aperitif. It's the drink you order at 6pm in an Italian piazza, watching the world go by. Casual sophistication that's impossibly refreshing and dangerously easy to make.
🍊 Italian Aperitivo Culture: In Italy, the Aperol Spritz is the default early evening drink - designed to be sipped before dinner to stimulate appetite. It's casual, social, and utterly unpretentious. Perfect for Valentine's aperitivo!
Ingredients
For the Spritz
- 60ml Aperol
- 90ml Prosecco, chilled
- 30ml soda water
- Ice cubes
For Garnish
- Orange slice or orange wheel
- Optional: green olive on cocktail stick (very Italian)
Method
Building the Spritz
- Fill a large wine glass generously with ice cubes. The more ice, the better!
- Pour 60ml Aperol over the ice.
- Pour 90ml chilled Prosecco gently down the side of the glass to preserve bubbles.
- Add a splash (about 30ml) of soda water for extra fizz.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon - just 2-3 stirs to combine without killing the bubbles.
- Add a thick orange slice or orange wheel to the glass.
- Optionally add a green olive on a cocktail stick for authentic Italian flair.
- Serve immediately while ice-cold and fizzing!
Expert Tips
The Classic Ratio: Traditional Aperol Spritz is 3-2-1 (3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda). But adjust to taste - more Aperol = more bitter, more prosecco = lighter and bubblier.
Ice is Essential: Don't skimp! A properly icy Aperol Spritz stays cold and refreshing throughout. Warm Spritz = sad Spritz.
The Glass Matters: Use a large wine glass or balloon glass. Italians often use oversized wine glasses. It looks impressive and holds plenty of ice.
Orange Matters: Use a proper thick slice of orange, not a thin disc. The orange adds aroma and fresh citrus as you sip - it's not just decoration.
Don't Over-Stir: Just a gentle stir to combine. You're keeping those bubbles alive, not making a hurricane!
The Soda Debate: Some purists skip soda water. Others swear by it. Try both ways and decide. We like the extra fizz.
Why This Works for Valentine's Day
Because it's romantic without trying to be. The Aperol Spritz is the cocktail equivalent of that effortlessly stylish Italian couple who look amazing without seeming to care. It's sophisticated without being fussy, special without being pretentious.
That sunset orange colour is inherently romantic - warm, glowing, optimistic. And there's something wonderfully relaxed about Spritzes. They don't demand your full attention like a martini does. You can sip one while cooking together, chatting, preparing dinner. They're companionable drinks.
Plus, they're low alcohol enough (about 8% ABV in the finished drink) that you can have two without derailing your evening. That's the sweet spot for Valentine's Day drinking - buzzed but not blitzed.
Variations
Campari Spritz: Use Campari instead of Aperol for a more bitter, more boozy version (Campari is 25% ABV vs Aperol's 11%)
Hugo Spritz: Replace Aperol with elderflower liqueur and add fresh mint leaves
Limoncello Spritz: Swap Aperol for limoncello for a sweeter, lemony version
Cynar Spritz: Use Cynar (artichoke liqueur) for a more sophisticated, earthy bitter flavour
Winter Spritz: Add a splash of blood orange juice for deeper colour and extra citrus
Non-alcoholic: Use Crodino or other non-alcoholic aperitif with alcohol-free prosecco
Pairing Suggestions
Aperol Spritzes work beautifully:
- Before dinner as an aperitif (their intended purpose)
- With light appetizers - olives, crisps, bruschetta
- During early evening - they're perfect 5-7pm drinks
- On warm days - incredibly refreshing (though Valentine's is February, so maybe crank the heating!)
Dietary Notes:
- Naturally vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free (check your prosecco brand)
- Lower alcohol than most cocktails (about 8% ABV in the finished drink)
- About 125 calories per serving
- Can be made completely alcohol-free with substitutes
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