Aperol Spritz / Aperitivo Spritz

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (327 ratings)

Serve in a Wine glass

Ingredients:
3 oz Fiol Extra Dry Prosecco
2 oz Bittersweet orange-red aperitivo
1 oz Thomas Henry Soda Water
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Wine glass.
  2. Prepare orange slice for garnish.
  3. POUR ingredients into ice-filled glass.
  4. Garnish with orange slice.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 3/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 4/10

Review:

Slightly sweet, herbal, refreshing and quaffable.

The good folk at Aperol, the aperitivo liqueur brand most identified with the Spritz, recommend equal parts prosecco and liqueur topped with a splash of soda. However, we've stuck with our preferred 3:2:1 ratio which is a little lighter on aperitivo liqueur and noticeably fizzier. Hence, along with specifying how you want your steak done and preferred Dry Martini ratio, perhaps also stipulate your Spritz ratio.

View readers' comments

Variant:

Soave is sometimes substituted for prosecco to produce a drier spritz.

Nutrition:

One serving of Aperol Spritz / Aperitivo Spritz contains 200 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.1 standard drinks
  • 8.33% alc./vol. (8.33° proof)
  • 15 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 10 of 17 comments for Aperol Spritz / Aperitivo Spritz.
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7th March at 10:07
Bonjour
J'ai une recette intéressante de chez Ferrand je crois que j'ai un peu modifié car je trouve l'association aperol/prosecco seul un peu brutal... 9 cl Aperol
1 cl de triple sec
Presser 3 cl d'orange
Glace pilée grossière
Barater
3 cl de Schweppes
12 cl prosecco
(2 traits d'Angostura bitters )
1 belle grosse rondelle d'orange du Portugal glissée le long du verre
Compléter de glace pilée
Mon épouse adore ce cocktail en été..
Matt G’s Avatar Matt G
2nd March at 08:46
I have a debate at work: Do you gently stir this cocktail after pouring? I said NO, NEVER but i faced heavy resistance! Any opinion on this?
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
2nd March at 09:46
Ideally, pour ingredients to chilled glass before adding ice. The action of the ice elevates any need to stir. Stirring does impact fizz.
Peter McCarthy’s Avatar Peter McCarthy
27th October 2024 at 19:42
First time having one of these since I rarely order something so simple when I'm out (and there are more complex/interesting options available). I get it, though. Simple, but tasty and refreshing, especially for a summer afternoon. I taste sweet prosecco and sweet orange up front, with a little bitter on the back end to help balance things out. Easy sipping.
Max Pelui’s Avatar Max Pelui
17th October 2024 at 08:47
I had a few of these for the first time on holiday in the med last week. Very pleasant in the still glowing October sunshine. No Aperol at home or to be fair the desire to buy some but a little experimenting led to a more than fair and perhaps even improved Campari sub/gentler Spritz Veneziano if you like. So 125 ml Cava, 30 ml Campari, 40 ml soda and 5 ml Monin (2:1) Cane Sugar Syrup.
Paul Holdsworth’s Avatar Paul Holdsworth
11th October 2024 at 20:18
I've been touring Italy recently and I'm simply astonished at the ubiquity of the all-conquering Aperol Spritz - no-one seems to be drinking anything else! The AS is on every table at every bar, plugged on every chalkboard, clutched in every fist. An unremarkable drink with ridiculous penetration. I long to see it eclipsed by - well, by anything!
Luca Viviani’s Avatar Luca Viviani
13th October 2024 at 13:28
True. Most people, however, are not cocktail enthusiasts and the success of Aperol Spritz is easy to explain. It is light and sweet, with enough bitterness to suit an aperitivo. It Is colorful and easy to replicate. Also, it has strong roots into tradition and it is not at all an imported fashion.
At some point in the future there will be another drink taking the scene, no doubt, but you must admit it won't be easy.
Andy Homer’s Avatar Andy Homer
3rd August 2024 at 12:00
I never drink Prosecco. Too light and no body. Luxembourg Crémant is far better (and generally cheaper) both on its own and in cocktails like Apero Spritz…
Annechien’s Avatar Annechien
17th July 2024 at 15:37
Quite like it! First thought it was too sweet for me but then the ice started to melt. Now it’s perfect. I really like the orange slices as garnish too. Gives it an extra fresh citrusy smell.
Dave Smith’s Avatar Dave Smith
8th July 2024 at 12:59
We had Aperol spritzs in Italy a few years back. Now my fav is 2 Aperol + 3 champagne brut. My California fav is Domain Chandon brut.
Ryan Harrold’s Avatar Ryan Harrold
30th May 2024 at 10:00
The Aperol Spritz is quite refreshing, however I find 60ml or 2oz of Aperol to be a bit much, which I personally find an Aperol Spritz to be better with 45ml or 1 1/2oz of Aperol Instead, which overall it’s still a solid cocktail worth trying if you haven’t in my opinion
Michael Westen’s Avatar Michael Westen
2nd January 2024 at 01:52
Notes: Aperol is one of the more sweet bitters. The 3:2:1 can be a little cloying depending on the prosecco, but is overall a refreshing drink. More recent versions seem to be 2:2+(splash soda), but I go the opposite way and cut it with more soda to thin out the syrupy notes and mouthfeel. Begs to be updated with a different aperitivo and curated prosecco.
Hunter Newsome’s Avatar Hunter Newsome
29th September 2024 at 17:46
It's more dry and even a little better with Campari.