Easy Aperol Spritz co*cktail (2024)

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 by Erin

Learn how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz co*cktail with just three ingredients – Prosecco, Aperol and soda water. This low-alcohol co*cktail (or aperitivo) is perfect for happy hour.Plus, it’s low in calories too!

The Aperol Spritz is a popular co*cktail in Northern Italy. It’s also known as an apertivo and is traditionally enjoyed before dinner. It’s a low-alcohol co*cktail which makes it perfect for leisurely afternoons on the patio.

When we visited Northern Italy a couple summers ago, we definitely enjoyed one or two spritz co*cktails each afternoon that we were there. And now, the have I have a huge fondness in my heart for them.

I’ve seen the Aperol Spritz garnished with a slice of orange and a green olive, but for my at-home version, I simply garnished with an orange wedge. This is one of the most simple co*cktail recipes out there too. There are only three ingredients and no measuring needed. Just add some prosecco to your glass, top with aperol and then add a splash of soda water.

You can serve your co*cktails up in wine glasses or rocks glasses, just make sure you have plenty of ice!

Need some inspiration for setting theperfect scene? Invite some friends over, welcome them with a big tray of these delicious co*cktails, and host an at-home pizza party. Easiest entertaining ever…

First thing’s first…

What is Aperol?

• Bright orange in color, aperol has notes of both bitter and sweet oranges and many other herbs, including rhubarb.Aperol is light and refreshing, and low in alcohol (11%).

Ingredients Needed

You only need three ingredients to make the perfect aperol spritz:

1. Prosecco – No need for expensive French Champagne here! Go for prosecco. Prosecco in Italian sparking wine that’s light, bubbly, affordable and festive!
2. Aperol – Find it in the liquor store.
3. Soda Water – to top off your glass and add a bit of fizz.

Optional fourth ingredient – an orange slice or dried orange slices to garnish your co*cktail.

How to Make It

• Fill a glass with ice, add the aperol, prosecco and top off with the soda water.

The standard ratio is equal parts prosecco and aperol with just a splash of club soda to top off your glass. However, feel free to play around with the proportions to suit your personal taste!

Aperol Spritz Calories

• There are 117 calories in an aperol spritz co*cktail.

Variations

Make it less strong

In general, a spritz is a lower alcohol co*cktail. However, if you would like to make it even less strong, use less Aperol and Prosecco, and more soda water. Or, you can leave out the Prosecco entirely and just combine Aperol and soda water.

Make it less bitter

Aperol is a bittersweet spirit, and it can be a little too bitter for some people. If so, you can reduce the amount of Aperol in your spritz.

Make it more bitter

If you’re a fan of the bitter notes in Aperol, you’ll probably love Campari too! Campari is very similar to Aperol but this Italian apertif is even more bitter. Try swapping it in place of the Aperol to make a Campari Spritz. Or, try out these Grapefruit Spritz co*cktails, which add in grapefruit juice in place of the sparkling water.

ℹ️ Read about the differences between Campari and Aperol here.

Winter Aperol Spritz

This Winter Aperol Spritz has got all the standard spritz ingredients – aperol, prosecco, and soda water, but it’s all dressed up with a yummy cranberry simple syrup.

How to Garnish an Aperol Spritz

The standard garnish for an aperol spritz is an orange wedge. But I’ve also seen them served garnished with green olives which I think is such a cute touch, especially for a pizza night at home.

Or, try your hand at making these cute orange rind hearts. To do it, I just slice up some orange rind in a long strip. I fold it in half, then I use a co*cktail pick to skewer through the edges and center, making a heart shape. 🧡 ↓ ↓ ↓

What to Serve With It

In Italian tradition, the aperol spritz is served as anapéritif.Apéritifs are designed to be served before lunch or dinner to excite one’s appetite.

I like to serve them with Italian or Mediterranean-style appetizers.Since Aperol is a bitter spirit, it pairs best with creamy, salty foods that will take the bitter edge off.

Here are some easy appetizers that pair well:

• Olives or Olive Tapenade
• Whipped Feta
• Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado
• Prosciutto di Parma Wrapped Grana Padano
• Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Crostini
• Asiago Gougères

More Sparkling co*cktail Recipes

• Limoncello Spritz
• Strawberry White Wine Spritzer
• French 75 Champagne co*cktail
• Cranberry Ginger Bellini

More Aperol co*cktails

• Paper Plane co*cktail
• Grapefruit Spritz
• Winter Aperol Spritz
• Aperol Negroni
• Aperol Sour
• MORE → 25+ BEST Aperol co*cktails

Did you try this aperol spritz?

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Saluté!

This post about aperol spritz calories was originally published in 2022. It was updated in 2023 to add new information. The low-calorie aperol spritz recipe remains the same. Enjoy!