Aperol Spritz Recipe: Classic Cocktails

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This Aperol Spritz recipe is long overdue. I can tell that’s true from how much Aperol is gone from this bottle. I’ve loved this light and refreshing aperitif for years. Like Aperol itself, it originates in Italy and is one of those classic recipes that transports you to an early evening in summer, sitting at a cafe table in a piazza, feeling the slightest bit tipsy and watching beautiful people go by. If you're in the mood for a classic cocktail, you might also like a classic daiquiri. Or browse all our cocktail recipes here.

Why we love this recipe

The Aperol Spritz combines a few of my favorite things: Prosecco (or other sparkling wine — I tend to use our evergreen favorite Chandon Brut Classic from California); slightly fruity, gently bitter Aperol, made from oranges, rhubarb, herbs and some top-secret ingredients; and — I’ll just put it out there — alcohol.

I’m not a huge day drinker unless we’re talking coffee or water from my S’well (though I make exceptions, don’t worry). Sometimes I think it’s because I’m a busy, functioning adult, but sometimes I think it’s because crappy beer is too crappy and Pimm’s Cups are too sweet. The Aperol Spritz is juuuuuust right, though, and drinkable practically all day long.

What's in a spritz?

Here's all you need to make this classic cocktail:

• Three parts Prosecco
• Two parts Aperol
• One part soda water
• An orange slice, to garnish

How to make it

To make this classic cocktail, you don't even need a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker. Here's all you'll do. You can see the steps in action in the video that accompanies this post.

• Fill a large wine glass (or any other glass you like) halfway with ice.
• Pour in the Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water.
• Garnish with an orange slice.

The magic of the spritz

Aperol has been around since the 1920s, and the Spritz has been in regular rotation since at least the 1940s. While we were living in London, it experienced a moment of trendiness, which made me very happy.

Still, I discovered last year that one of our local liquor stores does not even carry Aperol, and not all bartenders know how to make a Spritz. I try to remain calm when these things happen, but it’s not easy.

Plus, I can’t figure out whether these people are too old or too young to know what I’m talking about. Pitfalls of early middle age. Every interaction could lead to your next existential crisis. Good thing for cocktails.

Love bubbly cocktails?

So do I! Try some of our other favorites:

• Hugo Spritz
• The Grape Gatsby
• Mom’s Italian Soda
• French 75
• Sour Cherry French 75
• The Fifteen