There’s no better cocktail than a refreshing Spritz Veneziano, or Aperol Spritz, to sip on a warm evening before dinner or on a lazy afternoon.
The Italian cocktail is made with just three main ingredients (Apreol, sparkling wine, and sparkling water), requires no skill to make other than uncorking the bubbly, and can be mixed up in about 1 minute- what's not to love about that?
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The Essentials
To build a Spritz Veneziano or Apreol Spritz, just remember the 3:2:1 formula, 3-parts sparkling wine; 2-parts Aperol (or other amaro): 1-part sparkling water or soda. Traditionally served in a stemmed jumbo wine glass, the cocktail is mixed right in the glass, so no special equipment is needed.
Aperol: An iconic Italian aperitif renowned for its vibrant orange hue and bittersweet taste. Crafted from a secret blend of herbs and roots, it offers a refreshing burst of citrus and herbal flavors, and is the notable ingredient in a Spritz Veneziano.
Prosecco: Originating from the Veneto region of Italy, prosecco is a sparkling wine cherished for its light, fruity character and effervescence. Made primarily from the Glera grape, it boasts notes of apple, pear, and citrus. Celebrated for its accessibility and affordability, Prosecco is a delightful choice for toasts and casual gatherings.
How to make
1. Fill glass about 3 oz. of chilled Prosecco or other sparkling wine, about ⅔ full.
2. Use a jigger to measure 1 ½ oz. of Aperol. Note: I use 1 oz. because I like my spritzes a little less sweet.
3. Stir, add ice, and top with a splash of sparkling water or soda.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy.
Serve in a wine glass: While you can technically serve an Aperol Spritz in any glass you like, it's traditionally served in a large wine glass. This allows plenty of room for the prosecco to fizz up and the aromas to mingle, creating a truly delightful drinking experience. Plus, the elegant shape of the wine glass adds an extra touch of sophistication to your Aperol Spritz presentation.
Cocktail FAQs
With a vibrant crimson color and ingredients that include herbs, citrus, and roots, Aperol is a hint bitter, a touch fruity, and alcoholic, but with a low proof enough (around 11 percent) that it won’t overwhelm a drink. The apertivo, a beverage to be sipped before dinner to stimulate your appetite, was created in Italy by the Italian Barberie Company and the recipe has remained unchanged since 1919. Aperol is considered an amaro, which is a group of Italian herbal liqueurs known for their bitter and herbal profile. Aperol is now owned by The Campari Group
Armaros are a wide, loosely defined category, but for the most part belong to a family of Italian liqueurs, all with a slightly bitter, herbal profile, like Aperol. They are traditionally sipped after dinner as digestivos. The craft of making amaro began in Italian monasteries in the 15th or 16th century, based on healing traditions of herbalism and became a popular bottle business in the 1800s. Many amaros are popular in the US today, including Aperol and Campari. It’s worth it to explore this category further, as you’ll be amazed at their vast variety and flavor profiles. Some of my favorites include Averna, Fernet Branca, and Dell’a Etna.
What other drinks can I make with Aperol?
The spritz if certainly the most popular cocktail to make with Aperol, but there are many others. Here a few:
- The Paper Plane: Combine 4 equal parts in cocktail shaker with one cube on ice: Aperol, bourbon, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice. Shake well and strain into glass with ice.
- Venezia Margarita: Add a splash of Aperol to your favorite margarita on the rocks.
- Ten Spot Cocktail: Combine 1.5 oz gin in a cocktail shaker with ½ oz each Aperol, lime juice and grapefruit juice. Shake and strain into champagne glass.
Cocktail Tips
Choose quality ingredients. The sparkling wine takes up the most real estate in this drink, so when deciding on bubbles, choose a quality prosecco or other sparkling wine. Just be sure it’s dry, open it fresh, and serve it fast.
Use chilled ingredients: To ensure that your Aperol Spritz is crisp and refreshing, make sure all your ingredients are well chilled before you start mixing. This includes the prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. You can even chill the glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving to keep your drink nice and cold.
Don't forget the ice: Ice is essential for keeping your Aperol Spritz chilled and refreshing. Add a few ice cubes to your glass before pouring in the prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. This will help keep your drink cold without diluting it too much. If you prefer a stronger drink, you can also try using large ice cubes or even freezing some Aperol into ice cubes to add an extra kick of flavor.
Don’t forget to garnish!
We drink with our eyes first, so make your Aperol spritz shine with a simple orange garnish. A slice of orange is the classic garnish for the Spritz Veneziano, and for good reason. The citrusy flavor of the orange complements the bitter-sweetness of the Aperol perfectly, adding an extra layer of flavor and aroma to your drink. Plus, it looks beautiful floating on top of the vibrant orange hue of the Aperol Spritz.
- Orange wheel: Slice a small navel or blood orange into ¼inch thick slices. Tuck a slice into the mixed spritz so it’s up against the inside of the glass.
- Orange wedge: Cut a navel orange lengthwise, then slice about ¼ -inch thick. Cut a small slice in the center of the orange flesh and slip it onto the edge of the glass.
- Other garnishes: Fresh mint sprigs; Small edible flowers, such as nasturtiums; Frozen raspberries or blueberries
More drinks to try
Comments and ratings
If you’ve tried this Spritz Veneziano (also known as Aperol Spritz) or any other recipes and drinks on our site, please leave a comment and rating below. We love hearing from you!
Spritz Veneziano | Aperol Spritz Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces chilled sparking wine such as Prosecco
- 1-2 ounces Aperol
- Splash club soda or sparkling water
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add the Prosecco, filling about ⅔ full and then add the Aperol. Top with sparkling water, stir well.
- Garnish with an orange slice, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Holly says
Perfect!
Paula says
One of my favorites!
David says
Very refreshing!
David says
Very refreshing!