There’s something about an Aperol spritz that makes a simple afternoon catch-up feel a little more special. Perhaps it’s that gorgeous orange colour, or the oversized wine glass with a slice of orange tucked inside. Either way, it’s a lovely drink to serve when you want something that looks impressive without spending half your time in the kitchen.
And honestly, when friends come over, I’d much rather be sitting with them than wrestling with a cocktail shaker. This easy Aperol spritz recipe comes together right in the glass, with three ingredients, plenty of ice and a fresh orange garnish.
Put out a few little bowls of nibbles, find somewhere comfortable to sit, and you have the makings of a very pleasant afternoon.
What Is an Aperol Spritz?
An Aperol spritz combines Aperol, prosecco and soda water. It tastes citrusy and bittersweet, with bubbles from the prosecco and soda. If very sugary cocktails aren’t your thing, this might be more your style.
The Easy Aperol Spritz Ratio
The classic formula is three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part soda water. That’s the ratio used in the official Aperol Spritz recipe, and it makes remembering the measurements wonderfully simple.
For the serving below, each “part” is 25 ml. Once you have that little rule in your head, you can scale the recipe without doing complicated cocktail maths.
Aperol Spritz Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 75 ml chilled prosecco
- 50 ml Aperol
- 25 ml chilled soda water
- Plenty of ice cubes
- 1 fresh orange slice, to garnish
How to Make It
Fill a large wine glass generously with ice.
Pour in the prosecco, followed by the Aperol and soda water.
Give the drink a gentle stir to combine everything. You only need a brief stir; there’s no need to shake it.
Add the orange slice and serve straight away.
Little Tips for a Better Spritz
Chill your ingredients first. Cold prosecco and soda help keep the drink crisp. Choose a brut prosecco for a drier balance. Cava or a similarly dry sparkling white wine can also work if that’s what you have available.
Measure the first glass. A generous freehand pour can change the balance quite quickly. A small measuring jug works perfectly if you don’t have a cocktail measure.
Leave room in the glass. You want enough space for the ice, drink and orange slice without having to carry it to the table quite so carefully.
Use plain soda water. Tonic water and lemonade will change the flavour. Keep the classic version simple, then experiment another time if you fancy it.
Making Aperol Spritz for Friends
For four cocktails, you’ll need:
- 300 ml prosecco
- 200 ml Aperol
- 100 ml soda water
- Ice for four glasses
- Four orange slices
My suggestion is to have the orange sliced and the bottles chilled before anyone arrives, then build each drink in its glass. It keeps serving easy and avoids leaving a jug of sparkling cocktails sitting around while everyone catches up.
For a casual gathering, you could arrange the ingredients on a tray beside the glasses. Add a little handwritten “3–2–1” recipe card and let guests assemble their own.
What to Serve With Aperol Spritz
I’d keep the food relaxed: olives, crackers, cheese, roasted nuts or little slices of toasted bread topped with tomato.
For something more substantial, try a platter of mini sandwiches or warm pizza bites. You don’t need an elaborate spread—just a few things people can nibble while they chat.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Prepare the garnishes and chill the ingredients ahead of time, but mix the drinks when you’re ready to serve. That way, you keep the bubbles and avoid ice melting into a waiting cocktail.
This is exactly the sort of entertaining recipe I like: a short ingredient list, very little preparation and something lovely to hand a friend when they walk through the door. Keep that three–two–one ratio handy, and an easy Aperol spritz is only a few pours away.
Leave a Reply