Aperol Spritz is a low-alcohol Italian aperitivo built from Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. Its balance depends as much on temperature and bubbles as on the ratio.
Ingredients
- 90 ml (3 oz) chilled Prosecco
- 60 ml (2 oz) Aperol
- 30 ml (1 oz) chilled soda water
- Plenty of firm ice
- One orange slice
Tools
- Large wine glass
- Jigger
- Bar spoon
Method
- Chill all liquids and the glass.
- Fill the wine glass completely with ice.
- Add Prosecco, then Aperol.
- Top with soda water and stir once from the bottom.
- Add an orange slice and serve immediately.
Temperature is part of the recipe
A warm Spritz tastes sweeter and loses its lift quickly. Chill every bottle and use enough ice so the drink stays cold without rapid dilution.
The 3-2-1 ratio is a starting point
Dry Prosecco makes the standard ratio feel crisper. If your sparkling wine is fruity or sweet, raise the soda portion slightly instead of adding more Aperol.
Stir as little as possible
Build directly in the glass and give the drink one gentle lift. Repeated stirring releases carbonation and makes the drink feel heavier.
Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and drink responsibly.
What goes wrong and how to fix it
- Too sweet: the sparkling wine or Aperol ratio is high. Use dry Prosecco and increase soda slightly.
- Flat: ingredients were warm or the drink was over-stirred. Chill first and stir once.
- Watery: too little ice melts faster. Fill the glass.
- Too bitter: reduce Aperol to 45-50 ml rather than adding more syrup.
Substitutions
- No Prosecco: use another dry sparkling wine, understanding the aroma will change.
- Want lower alcohol: use 60 ml Prosecco, 45 ml Aperol, and 45 ml soda.
- No Aperol: another orange aperitivo creates a variation, not the same drink.
Cost, time, and difficulty
About US$3-8 per serving, depending on the sparkling wine.
FAQ
What is the Aperol Spritz ratio?
The common starting point is 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda.
Why is mine too sweet?
Use dry sparkling wine, keep the glass cold, and increase soda before changing everything else.
Should soda or Prosecco go in first?
Prosecco first helps preserve bubbles and lets Aperol mix with minimal stirring.
Is Aperol Spritz strong?
It is lower in alcohol than many spirit-forward cocktails, but it still contains alcohol.