A1
- Glass
- Cocktail glass
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~8%
Ingredients
- 2 ozaperol60 ml
- 3 ozprosecco90 ml
- 1 ozclub soda30 ml
Instructions
Fill a large wine glass with ice — a generous amount, right to the top. Pour the Prosecco first, then the Aperol, then a splash of club soda. The order matters: Prosecco first prevents the Aperol from sinking to the bottom and staining the glass. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon — just enough to combine without killing the bubbles. Garnish with a large orange slice and, if you have them, a few green olives on a pick. The olives are traditional in the Veneto and genuinely delicious alongside the bitter-sweet drink.
Sips & Tips
Technique
The 3-2-1 ratio (3 oz Prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, 1 oz soda) is the official Aperol recipe, and it's well-balanced. Pour the Prosecco first to avoid the Aperol settling at the bottom. Use a large wine glass — the wide bowl allows the aromas to open up and gives you room for plenty of ice.
Balance
The Aperol Spritz is a low-ABV drink — around 8% — which makes it perfect for long afternoon sessions. The bitterness of the Aperol is balanced by the sweetness of the Prosecco and the dilution of the soda. If you find it too sweet, try substituting Campari for half the Aperol — the result is more bitter and complex.
History
The spritz tradition dates to the 19th century, when Austrian soldiers stationed in the Veneto region of Italy would dilute the local wine with water (spritzen in German) to reduce its strength. The modern Aperol Spritz was formalized by the Barbieri company (now Campari Group) in the 1950s and became a global phenomenon in the 2010s.
The Aperol Spritz is the ultimate aperitivo drink — low in alcohol, beautiful to look at, and genuinely refreshing. It's also one of the easiest cocktails to make. Pour, stir, garnish. That's it. Cheers.
Variations
Campari Spritz
Replace the Aperol with Campari for a more bitter, complex version. The Campari Spritz is less sweet and more assertive — better for people who find the Aperol Spritz too cloying. Use the same 3-2-1 ratio.
Cocchi Rosa Spritz
Replace the Aperol with 2 oz of Cocchi Rosa. The result is more floral and delicate than the classic — rose-forward, lightly bitter, and beautifully pink. Garnish with a lemon twist instead of orange.
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A1
Glass: Cocktail glass | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~8%
Ingredients
- 2 oz aperol
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 oz club soda
Instructions
Fill a large wine glass with ice — a generous amount, right to the top. Pour the Prosecco first, then the Aperol, then a splash of club soda. The order matters: Prosecco first prevents the Aperol from sinking to the bottom and staining the glass. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon — just enough to combine without killing the bubbles. Garnish with a large orange slice and, if you have them, a few green olives on a pick. The olives are traditional in the Veneto and genuinely delicious alongside the bitter-sweet drink.