Aperol spritz is Italian summer in a glass. The bright red-orange hue is a good balance between bitter and sweet, with herby citrusy notes, and just the right amount of sparkling fizz. What more could you ask for in a summer cocktail?

The Perfect Summer Cocktail Starts with an Aperol Spritz

I’ve had my fair share of Aperol spritzes (and this limoncello spritz) during my Italian summer getaways. Everywhere you go in Italy, you’ll see people enjoying this refreshing apéritif (an alcoholic drink that is typically enjoyed before a meal).

This means you won’t get crazy drunk off of one glass since it’s only around 11% ABV (thank goodness). More so, you’ll receive a delightfully light buzz that will get your taste buds going. So feel free to sip on one or two glasses of this Aperol spritz recipe on a sunny day. It really is the perfect cocktail to gather your friends and family on a warm, summer afternoon.

Aperol Spritz Ingredients

Nail the classic Aperol spritz with just 4 ingredients (plus ice). The Aperol, club soda, and orange slice is pretty straightforward. But it’s the prosecco you’ll need to pay a bit more attention to when selecting out of the bunch.

• Prosecco: When choosing a Prosecco, look for a dry/brut one. If it’s on the sweeter side, it will turn a bit syrupy and make it an ever sweeter drink (when it doesn’t need to be). It also doesn’t need to be pricey – a good mid-range one will do just fine.
• Aperol: You can buy this red-orange colored liquor pretty much anywhere that sells a selection of alcohol. But scope it out online first – some places may sell it for cheaper!
• Club Soda: Club soda will give you the perfect amount of fizz. You could also use sparkling water, just make sure there’s no flavor to it.
• Orange: This is optional, but adding a large orange slice to your Aperol spritz is the classic way to serve it! Plus, it adds fresh citrus notes.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Make an Aperol Spritz with the 3-2-1 Method

The classic way to make an Aperol spritz is with the 3-2-1 method, which calls for 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part club soda. One crucial thing to note though is to stay consistent with the order of ingredients.

This is a cocktail that doesn’t require any stirring or shaking. And since Aperol is a much denser liquid than Prosecco, it will pile up at the bottom of your glass if you pour that first. So just remember – ice, Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of club soda to top it off! Here’s how to make it.

• Pour it up. Fill a large wine glass with ice until it is nearly full. Pour in the Prosecco first, followed by Aperol and club soda.
• Garnish. Add a large slice of orange into the glass before serving.

Watch Me Make This Aperol Spritz

Watch how easy it is to make the perfect aperol spritz in the video below. And let’s be honest, that Italian music helps to set the mood as well!

Let’s Make More Fun Cocktails!

• Strawberry Margarita (or a classic margarita)
• Red Sangria (or this white sangria)
• Mango Margarita
• Classic Mojito

Summer calls for endless spritzes, especially since they’re so easy to pour up. So round up your friends and make a some Aperol spritzes! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this cocktail in a comment below!