Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is an iconic Italian cocktail known for its brilliant orange hue and refreshing taste. It perfectly balances the bittersweet notes of Aperol with the crisp fizziness of Prosecco, all lightened by a splash of soda water. Served over ice in a large wine glass and garnished with a fresh orange slice, it's the quintessential drink for a sunny afternoon or a pre-dinner social gathering. Its low alcohol content and palate-cleansing character make it an approachable and popular choice worldwide.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Aperol Spritz is classified as a cocktail, more specifically an aperitif. Aperitifs are drinks typically served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. It is considered a modern classic and is beloved for its light and refreshing qualities, making it a perfect pre-dinner drink.
Serving
The Aperol Spritz is served cold over plenty of ice in a large wine glass to accommodate its volume and aroma. It is a relatively low-alcohol cocktail, making it suitable for leisurely sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 180 ml / 6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 8-11% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Large wine glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The "spritz" originated in the 1800s in the Veneto region of Italy, when Austrian soldiers would add a splash ("spritzen" in German) of water to local wines to lower their alcohol content. The Aperol Spritz as we know it today became popular after World War II. Its global fame skyrocketed in the early 2000s thanks to a clever marketing campaign by the Campari Group, which owns Aperol, positioning it as the ultimate social drink.
Origin
Veneto, Italy, circa 1950s. While the spritz concept is older, the combination with Aperol gained popularity in the mid-20th century.
Aperol Spritz
The drink is most commonly known as the Aperol Spritz. However, it is also a variation of the Spritz Veneziano, or Venetian Spritz, which is a broader category of wine-based cocktails from Venice. The name reflects its key ingredient, Aperol, combined with the German word "spritzen" for a splash of water.
Original name
Aperol Spritz
Alternative names
- Spritz Veneziano
- Aperol Spritzer
Characteristics overview
This cocktail has a distinctive bittersweet flavor profile with strong notes of orange and herbs, balanced by a bubbly texture from the Prosecco and soda. Its vibrant orange color and refreshing character make it an iconic summer drink.
Flavor
Bittersweet, orange, herbal, zesty, light
Aroma
Orange peel, rhubarb, complex herbs
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, slightly bitter
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Vibrant orange, clear, sparkling
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, defined by a balance of sweetness and bitterness from the Aperol and fruity notes from the Prosecco. It has a noticeable effervescence and a low-to-moderate alcohol strength, making it very sessionable.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail is built on the classic 3-2-1 ratio, requiring three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water. All ingredients should be well-chilled before use.
- Prosecco, chilled90 ml / 3 ozA dry (Brut) Prosecco is recommended to balance the sweetness of the Aperol.
- Aperol60 ml / 2 ozThe key ingredient that provides the drink's signature color and bittersweet flavor.
- Soda water, chilled30 ml / 1 oz (a splash)Use a freshly opened bottle for maximum fizziness.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment like a shaker is needed. A simple jigger for measuring and a bar spoon for a quick stir are all that's required to assemble this drink directly in the glass.
- Jigger or measuring cup for accurate pouring
- Bar spoon for gentle stirring
Instructions
The Aperol Spritz is built directly in the glass, making it incredibly simple to prepare. Just add ice, pour in the liquids in order, give it a gentle stir, and add the garnish.
1. Fill a large wine glass to the top with cubed ice.
2. Pour the Prosecco over the ice.
3. Add the Aperol.
4. Top with a splash of soda water.
5. Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
6. Garnish with a fresh orange slice dropped into the glass.
Garnishing
A fresh slice of orange is the traditional and essential garnish. It complements the orange flavors in the Aperol and adds to the drink's visual appeal.
- Orange slice; place one half-moon slice directly into the drink
Dietary Information
The Aperol Spritz is naturally free from most common allergens, including dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is also suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, provided the Prosecco used is certified vegan.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a moderately light cocktail in terms of calories, mostly coming from the alcohol and sugar in the Aperol and Prosecco. It contains around 15 grams of both carbohydrates and sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 175 kcal / 732 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15 grams
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is perfect for social gatherings, especially during warm weather. It's an ideal pre-dinner aperitif for happy hour or brunch, and its refreshing nature makes it a staple for summer parties and outdoor dining.
- Pre-dinner drink
- Summer party
- Brunch
- Happy hour
- Alfresco dining
Pairing suggestions
The Aperol Spritz pairs beautifully with traditional Italian "cicchetti" or small snacks. Its bittersweet profile cuts through the saltiness of cured meats, cheeses, and olives. It's the perfect companion to a charcuterie or cheese board before a meal.
- Salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels
- Olives and nuts
- Cured meats (charcuterie board)
- Mild cheeses like mozzarella or provolone
- Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes
Aperol Spritz: The Quintessential Italian Aperitif
The Aperol Spritz is a world-renowned Italian cocktail celebrated for its simplicity, vibrant color, and refreshing bittersweet taste. Combining just three main ingredients—Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water—it's incredibly easy to make at home. Served over ice with an orange slice, it embodies the spirit of the Italian aperitivo culture, encouraging relaxed, pre-dinner socializing. Its light, bubbly, and low-alcohol nature makes it an accessible and enjoyable choice for almost any palate or occasion.
Similar cocktails
Campari Spritz
Uses Campari instead of Aperol for a more bitter and complex flavor with a deeper red color.
Hugo Spritz
Replaces Aperol with elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) and is garnished with mint and a lime wedge.
Limoncello Spritz
Uses Limoncello liqueur for a sweet and zesty lemon flavor profile.
Select Spritz
The original Venetian spritz, using Select Aperitivo, which has notes of rhubarb and juniper.
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