Aperol Spritz Recipe: Is This the Best One to Make?

An Aperol Spritz is an Italian aperitivo made with Aperol, sparkling prosecco, soda water, and a slice of orange, served cold over ice. Its familiar 3:2:1 balance keeps the drink sparkling and bittersweet, while the orange adds a fresh citrus note; this recipe is for adults of legal drinking age, who should drink responsibly.

Ingredients

3/8 cup (90 ml) chilled prosecco: Choose a dry or extra-dry sparkling wine so the drink stays crisp rather than overly sweet. Chill it before mixing.
1/4 cup (60 ml) Aperol: This bittersweet Italian aperitivo gives the spritz its vivid color and characteristic orange, herbal flavor.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) chilled soda water: Plain sparkling water or club soda works. Use an unflavored option so it does not compete with the aperitivo.
1 cup (about 140 g) ice cubes: Use enough to fill the glass generously. Large, solid cubes melt more slowly than small or cracked ice.
1 orange slice (about 10 g): A thin wheel or half-wheel is an easy garnish; use a fresh orange with clean skin.

Instructions

Fill the glass with ice. Choose a large wine glass or another glass with room for the drink and garnish, ideally around 12 to 16 fluid ounces (355 to 475 ml). Add the ice first, filling the glass almost to the top. A well-chilled, ice-filled glass helps keep the cocktail cold without needing extra stirring.
Pour in the prosecco. Measure 3/8 cup (90 ml) and pour it slowly over the ice. Pouring the sparkling wine first helps it mix easily with the other ingredients and protects some of its fizz.
Add the Aperol and soda. Measure in 1/4 cup (60 ml) Aperol, followed by 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soda water. If you prefer a more sparkling, lighter drink, you can add a small splash more soda, but start with the listed amount to keep the classic balance.
Give it one gentle stir. Use a long spoon to lift the drink from the bottom once or twice. Avoid vigorous stirring, which knocks out carbonation. Slide in the orange slice, then serve straight away while the bubbles are lively and the ice is firm.

Tips

Measure the ratio instead of guessing. The recipe follows the widely used 3:2:1 proportions: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda. The balance is a useful starting point, not a rule that every glass must follow. For a less bitter drink, use a little less Aperol; for a drier, more wine-forward spritz, add a little more prosecco. Adjust in small increments so the drink does not become flat or diluted.
Keep every component cold. Refrigerate the prosecco and Aperol before making the drink, and use cold soda water. You do not need to chill the glass if you fill it with ice, but a cold glass can help if you are serving outside on a warm day. Avoid leaving the poured cocktail in direct sun; the ice will melt quickly and soften both its flavor and sparkle.
Use fresh, plain sparkling water. Soda water and club soda both work, and unflavored sparkling mineral water is a practical substitute. Their mineral content and bubble strength can vary, so the final spritz may taste slightly different. Avoid tonic water, which brings its own bitterness and sweetness, and flavored seltzer, which can obscure the orange and herbal notes.
Do not build it in advance or stir hard. The spritz gets its lively texture from freshly opened sparkling wine and soda. Mixing it ahead, shaking it, or stirring it repeatedly releases carbonation; letting it sit over ice also waters it down. Prepare each glass just before serving, and pour gently to help preserve the bubbles.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the spritz immediately in a large wine glass, with the orange slice tucked against the inside of the glass or floated on top. A clear glass shows the drink’s color, while a wide opening leaves room for the citrus aroma. A straw is optional; if you use one, a short reusable or paper straw makes it easier to sip without disturbing the garnish. Keep a jug of cold water nearby, especially when serving drinks outdoors.

Aperol Spritz is commonly served as an aperitivo, a pre-meal drink meant to accompany small bites. Pair it with salty or savory snacks such as olives, salted nuts, potato chips, marinated vegetables, or crisp bread with cheese. These are suggestions rather than requirements: the drink also works for a relaxed gathering where you want a simple, low-effort cocktail. If making several drinks, set out measured ingredients and fresh ice, but assemble each glass individually so the prosecco stays fizzy.

Variations

Make it less bitter: Start with 1/4 cup (60 ml) prosecco, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Aperol, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soda water. The slightly reduced aperitivo gives a softer, more sparkling result. Taste before adjusting, since different proseccos can vary in sweetness.

Make it lighter: Keep the 3:2:1 proportions, then top the finished drink with another tablespoon or two of soda water. This makes a taller, more refreshing-tasting spritz but also lowers the intensity of the orange flavor. Add extra soda in the glass rather than pre-diluting a batch.

Try a different garnish: Replace the orange wheel with a thin grapefruit slice or a strip of lemon peel. Grapefruit brings a sharper, slightly more bitter citrus note; lemon gives a brighter, less sweet aroma. These are modern twists rather than necessary ingredients, and the classic orange slice is still the simplest match.

Use another sparkling wine: If prosecco is unavailable, a dry sparkling wine can stand in. Choose one without pronounced oak or strong fruit flavors so it does not take over the drink. A sweeter sparkling wine will make the cocktail taste rounder and less bitter, so you may want to reduce the Aperol slightly or add a touch more soda water.

Storage and Reheating

An assembled Aperol Spritz is best enjoyed right after it is made. It does not reheat well, and there is no useful way to restore its fizz after the ice melts and the bubbles fade. If you have a partly finished drink, you can cover and refrigerate it within 2 hours, but expect it to taste diluted and flat; for the best quality, make a fresh one instead of saving a mixed glass.

Keep unopened ingredients according to their package directions. Once opened, close the prosecco securely and refrigerate it; a sparkling-wine stopper helps retain bubbles, although the wine will gradually lose its fizz. Use it soon for the best spritz. Store Aperol with its cap closed and follow the label’s instructions. Do not leave poured drinks or opened bottles in a hot car or in direct sunlight, and do not add the garnish until you are ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct ratio for an Aperol Spritz?
The common starting point is three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water. This recipe uses 90 ml prosecco, 60 ml Aperol, and 30 ml soda for one drink. The ratio is easy to scale, but personal taste and the sweetness of the sparkling wine can justify small adjustments.

Can I make an Aperol Spritz without prosecco?
Yes. Use another dry sparkling wine, such as a dry cava or a different crisp sparkling wine. The flavor will not be exactly the same, but the drink will still have the bubbles and acidity that make the spritz work. Avoid a very sweet wine unless you want a noticeably sweeter cocktail.

Can I make a pitcher for a party?
You can multiply the ingredient amounts, but do not combine everything far ahead. For four servings, use 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) prosecco, 1 cup (240 ml) Aperol, and 1/2 cup (120 ml) soda water, then pour over ice and garnish each glass. For the liveliest fizz, add the prosecco and soda shortly before serving and stir gently.

Is soda water the same as tonic water?
No. Soda water is carbonated water, sometimes with added minerals, and does not have tonic’s distinctive bitter flavor. Tonic water contains quinine and is usually sweetened, so substituting it changes the drink substantially. Use plain soda water, club soda, or unflavored sparkling water for a closer result.

Why does my spritz taste too bitter or watery?
A drink that tastes too bitter may have too much Aperol for your preferred balance; add a small pour of prosecco or soda and taste again. A watery spritz usually comes from small, melting ice, warm ingredients, or letting the drink sit. Start with cold bottles, fill the glass with solid ice, measure the ingredients, and serve immediately.

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