The Aperol Spritz is one of the most popular cocktails in Italy, known for its bright orange hue and refreshing taste. It’s a go-to drink for aperitivo hour, pairing perfectly with light snacks like olives, chips, and bruschetta. The bitter yet slightly sweet flavor of Aperol blends beautifully with the bubbly Prosecco, making this drink an all-time favorite.
History of the Aperol
The Spritz traces its origins back to 19th-century Austria, when soldiers in the Veneto region found Italian wines too strong and diluted them with water. This evolved into the Aperol Spritz after Aperol was created in 1919 in Padua, Italy. The modern Aperol Spritz became wildly popular in the early 2000s, thanks to clever marketing campaigns and its easy-drinking appeal. Today, it’s an essential part of Italian aperitivo culture, especially in cities like Venice and Milan.
Did you know?
Aperol Spritz has become a symbol of Italian leisure, often featured in travel shows, Instagram feeds, and even commercials promoting Italian tourism.
Stanley Tucci highlighted the Aperol Spritz in his Searching for Italy series, showcasing its role in everyday Italian life.
The drink is a staple in Venetian cafés and bars, where it’s served alongside cicchetti (Venetian tapas).
Many Italian bars offer variations, such as the Campari Spritz, which is slightly more bitter, or the Hugo Spritz, which swaps Aperol for elderflower liqueur.
Aperol Spritz
Equipment
- Large wine glass or tumbler
- Measuring jigger
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- 3 oz Prosecco dry, chilled
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Soda water club soda or sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes to chill the drink properly.
- Pour Aperol over the ice. This ensures the bitterness is well distributed.
- Add the Prosecco, allowing it to gently mix with the Aperol.
- Top with soda water to lighten the drink.
- Give it a gentle stir to combine the flavors—don’t overmix, or you'll lose the bubbles!
- Garnish with a fresh orange slice, perched on the rim or floating in the drink.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Italian aperitivo moment!
Notes
- Adjust the Aperol-to-Prosecco ratio based on your taste preference. More Aperol = more bitterness; more Prosecco = sweeter.
- For a slightly stronger version, reduce the soda water or skip it entirely.
- The classic “3-2-1” ratio (Prosecco-Aperol-Soda) ensures balance.
- Once you perform this a few times you can remove the measure and use your fingers on the side of the glass. 3 fingers for Prosecco, 2 fingers or Aperol, 1 for Soda water.