Aperol Spritz Recipe: How to Make a Classic Italian Spritz at Home

What Is an Aperol Spritz?

An Aperol Spritz is an Italian sparkling aperitif cocktail made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water. It is usually served in a large wine glass over ice and garnished with an orange slice.

Aperol gives the drink its orange colour, bittersweet flavour, and herbal-citrus profile. Prosecco adds bubbles and fruitiness, while soda water keeps the drink light and refreshing.

A good Aperol Spritz should taste:

• Refreshing and fizzy
• Bittersweet, not sugary
• Orange-forward
• Light enough to sip slowly
• Balanced between Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water

Aperol Spritz Recipe

This recipe makes one serving.

Ingredients

• 90ml chilled Prosecco
• 60ml Aperol
• 30ml soda water
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice for garnish

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Pour in the chilled Prosecco.
3. Add Aperol.
4. Top with soda water.
5. Stir gently once or twice to combine.
6. Garnish with an orange slice.
7. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.

For a simple memory guide, use the 3-2-1 formula: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water.

Quick Answer: How Do You Make an Aperol Spritz?

To make an Aperol Spritz, fill a wine glass with ice. Add 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, and 30ml soda water. Stir gently, garnish with orange, and serve immediately.

Best Prosecco for Aperol Spritz

The best Prosecco for Aperol Spritz should be fresh, crisp, and not overly sweet. Since Aperol already has a bittersweet orange profile, the sparkling wine should keep the drink balanced and refreshing.

Choose a Prosecco or sparkling wine that is:

• Chilled before serving
• Fresh and fruity
• Not too sweet
• Clean on the finish
• Suitable for casual aperitif cocktails

You can browse sparkling wine options here: Sparkling Wine Collection.

You can also browse Champagne and other celebratory bottles here: Champagne Collection.

Can You Use Champagne Instead of Prosecco?

Yes, you can use Champagne instead of Prosecco, but the drink will taste different. Champagne is usually more acidic, more structured, and more complex. Prosecco is usually softer, fruitier, and more classic for an Aperol Spritz.

Use Prosecco if you want the classic Italian spritz style. Use Champagne if you want a sharper and more premium version.

What Is Aperol?

Aperol is an Italian aperitif known for its bright orange colour and bittersweet citrus-herbal flavour. It is lighter and less bitter than Campari, which makes it easier for many beginners to enjoy.

In an Aperol Spritz, Aperol provides:

• The orange colour
• The bittersweet flavour
• The aperitif character
• The citrus-herbal aroma
• The signature Spritz identity

You can browse liqueur options here: Liqueur Collection.

How to Make Aperol Spritz Less Bitter

Aperol Spritz is naturally bittersweet, but it should not taste harsh. If you are new to bitter aperitif cocktails, you can soften the drink easily.

To make an Aperol Spritz less bitter:

• Use slightly more Prosecco.
• Use slightly less Aperol.
• Add a little more soda water.
• Use a sweeter orange garnish.
• Make sure the drink is very cold.

For a softer beginner version, try 100ml Prosecco, 45ml Aperol, and 30ml soda water.

Should an Aperol Spritz Be Shaken or Stirred?

An Aperol Spritz should not be shaken. Since it contains sparkling wine and soda water, shaking will remove the bubbles and may cause overflow.

Build the drink directly in the glass over ice. Then stir gently once or twice only. This keeps the bubbles fresh and the drink light.

Build in the glass if you want:

• Better bubbles
• Less mess
• A fresher texture
• A proper spritz-style drink

Aperol Spritz Taste Profile

An Aperol Spritz should taste light, cold, fizzy, bittersweet, and orange-forward. It should not taste flat, syrupy, or overly bitter.

A good Aperol Spritz should be:

• Cold
• Fizzy
• Orange-forward
• Bittersweet
• Refreshing
• Easy to sip

If your Aperol Spritz tastes too bitter, add more Prosecco or soda water. If it tastes too weak, add slightly more Aperol. If it tastes flat, use colder Prosecco and fresh soda water.

Aperol Spritz Variations

Once you understand the classic 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz recipe, you can adjust the drink based on your preferred flavour and occasion.

Classic Aperol Spritz

Use Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, ice, and orange slice. This is the standard Italian spritz style.

Less Bitter Aperol Spritz

Use more Prosecco and slightly less Aperol. This creates a softer and fruitier drink.

Stronger Aperol Spritz

Use slightly more Aperol and less soda water. This gives a bolder bittersweet flavour.

Champagne Aperol Spritz

Replace Prosecco with Champagne for a sharper, more structured version.

Orange Aperol Spritz

Add an orange peel or extra orange slice for stronger citrus aroma.

Low-Alcohol Aperol Spritz

Use more soda water and slightly less Aperol. This gives a lighter drink for longer sipping.

What to Serve with Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz works well with salty, light, and savoury food. Its bittersweet flavour and bubbles make it especially suitable as an aperitif before dinner.

Good food pairings include:

• Green olives
• Potato chips
• Cheese platter
• Charcuterie
• Bruschetta
• Smoked salmon
• Grilled prawns
• Pizza
• Light tapas

For home entertaining, serve Aperol Spritz as a welcome drink, brunch cocktail, or pre-dinner aperitif.

Common Aperol Spritz Mistakes

1. Using warm Prosecco

Aperol Spritz should be cold and refreshing. Warm Prosecco makes the drink taste flat and heavy.

2. Shaking the drink

Do not shake an Aperol Spritz. Build it directly in the glass to preserve the bubbles.

3. Using flat soda water

Fresh soda water gives the drink lift and fizz. Flat soda makes the cocktail dull.

4. Adding too much Aperol

Too much Aperol can make the drink overly bitter. Start with the 3-2-1 ratio and adjust slowly.

5. Skipping the orange garnish

Orange garnish adds aroma and improves the drinking experience. It is a small but important detail.

Where to Buy Prosecco and Sparkling Wine for Aperol Spritz in Malaysia

If you want to make Aperol Spritz at home, the main bottle you need is Prosecco or a fresh sparkling wine. A crisp sparkling wine keeps the drink light, bright, and balanced.

At Blue Ocean Wine House, you can shop authentic sparkling wine, Champagne, white wine, red wine, whisky, cognac, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueur, and other alcoholic beverages online in Malaysia.

Explore related categories:

• Buy Sparkling Wine Online in Malaysia
• Shop Champagne Online
• Shop Liqueur Online
• Shop Wine Online
• Shop Spirits Online

Note: Alcohol is only for non-Muslim customers aged 21 and above in Malaysia. Please drink responsibly. For general responsible drinking guidance, you can refer to DrinkIQ.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aperol Spritz

What alcohol is used in an Aperol Spritz?

An Aperol Spritz uses Aperol and Prosecco. It also includes soda water, ice, and orange garnish.

What is the Aperol Spritz ratio?

The classic Aperol Spritz ratio is 3-2-1: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water.

Can I use Champagne instead of Prosecco?

Yes, you can use Champagne, but Prosecco gives the more classic Italian Spritz style. Champagne usually tastes sharper and more structured.

Do you shake or stir an Aperol Spritz?

An Aperol Spritz should not be shaken. Build it directly in a wine glass over ice and stir gently once or twice.

Is Aperol Spritz bitter?

Aperol Spritz is bittersweet. It has a light bitter orange profile, but Prosecco and soda water make it refreshing and easy to drink.

What glass should I use for Aperol Spritz?

A large wine glass is the best choice. It gives enough space for ice, Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, and orange garnish.

Can I make Aperol Spritz less bitter?

Yes. Use more Prosecco or soda water and slightly less Aperol. Keeping the drink very cold also makes the bitterness softer.

Can I prepare Aperol Spritz in advance?

It is best made fresh. You can chill the Prosecco and prepare orange slices in advance, but add soda water only when serving to keep the bubbles fresh.

Final Takeaway

A great Aperol Spritz is simple, cold, fizzy, and refreshing. Use the 3-2-1 ratio: 90ml Prosecco, 60ml Aperol, and 30ml soda water. Serve over ice with an orange slice.

If you prefer a softer version, use more Prosecco and slightly less Aperol. If you prefer a bolder bittersweet drink, keep the classic ratio and use plenty of ice.

Ready to make your own Aperol Spritz? Shop sparkling wine, Champagne, liqueur, wine, whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and other authentic alcoholic beverages online at Blue Ocean Wine House.