For a real Italian experience, how about following your drink with our Bruschetta Trio? When it comes to summer recipes, we need to think of some amazing things to drink, not just eat. And when the sun is shining on a beautiful afternoon, it just has to be an Aperol Spritz! I first spotted this vividly orange drink on our very first trip to Italy. When the it came to the afternoon, this beautiful drink was everywhere I looked in every piazza. People were sitting outside, chatting and sipping on this gorgeous orange sparkler. I wanted to order it immediately but I didn’t know what it was called. Eventually I roused up the courage to point one of them out to waiter and say, “I want THAT”. And since I have never ordered another drink in Italy besides an occasional glass of wine with dinner. Getting an evening Aperol Spritz became such a tradition that I can’t imagine people watching on an Italian piazza without getting one, especially because Aperol was not available in the UK when we first discovered this delicious drink. So what is this Aperol Spritz I am talking about?
Ingredients
An Aperol Spritz is a cocktail but a very easy one to make. Only 3 ingredients are needed: Prosecco, Aperol and Soda water. It is usually served with a slice of orange in a white wine glass. I made mine with physalis for an autumnal twist. Aperol itself has a very unique and delicious taste, which comes from a blend of sweet and bitter oranges and many herbs and roots. Although made with oranges it doesn’t really taste like orange, it so much more complex! The bitter taste of Aperol is important since this is served as an aperativo. Italians believe that it helps to open up the stomach and prepare it for a meal. A negroni is another drink that does the same thing!
How to serve
In Italy, an Aperol Spritz is usually served as an aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink. Because Italians normally eat quite late, it’s normal to have a drink and snack in the late afternoon. Some of my best memories of Italy are around an aperitivo in a piazza on a warm day! When ordering an aperitivo in Italy it should be accompanied by olives, crackers, meats, cheese, chips or snacks like crostini. It’s less than a meal but still very satisfying! Although that is the Italian way, a spritz stands up perfectly well if you want to serve it without snacks. Enjoy it on a hot day for something really special!
title: “Aperol Spritz” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-21” author: “Thomas Chapman”
To make this recipe, simply gather the spritz ingredients – club soda, Prosecco, and of course, Aperol – and pour over ice for a balanced cocktail featuring citrus, rhubarb, and vanilla notes. Dress up this spritz recipe with orange slices and serve with your favorite charcuterie board, cured olives, or alongside pizza. For more summer cocktail recipes, try my mojito, cucumber martini, or caipirinha.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Aperol – the namesake ingredient for this classic cocktail, Aperol is a bittersweet liqueur. This Italian-made botanical-infused aperitivo has notes of rhubarb, citrus, vanilla, and a vibrant orange color. Prosecco – sparkling wine adds a touch of sweetness and bubbles to this drink. I like to use dry Prosecco, but you can substitute prosecco rose or champagne if you prefer. Club soda – the addition of club soda increases the carbonation for a fizzy drink that’s bubbling and light to sip on a hot day. Unflavored sparkling water can be used in place of the club soda. Orange slice – a thin slice of orange is my favorite garnish for this drink. This ingredient is optional but adds a hint of orange and you’ll love how elevated and sophisticated it makes the drink look.
How to Make An Aperol Spritz
- Put a handful of ice in the bottom of a wine glass and pour the Aperol on top.
- Add the Prosecco to the glass.
- Top with a splash of club soda or sparkling water.
- Garnish with an orange slice, if using.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
Refrigerate the ingredients ahead of time. For a cold refreshing drink, chill all of the ingredients ahead of time. That way, the ice cubes won’t melt too quickly and water down the cocktail. Optional: Pre-freeze your wine glasses. To help keep the drink even cooler, put the wine glasses in the freezer a few hours before making the drink. The cold glass will help the drink stay cold with less ice and slow down the heat transfer from your hand. Adjust the ingredient ratios to your liking. A classic Aperol spritz recipe is made with a 3:2:1 ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. If you like a bolder flavor, increase the ratio of Aperol and try a 2:2:1 ratio with equal parts Aperol and Prosecco. For a sweeter, less bitter cocktail, increase the Prosecco and decrease the Aperol. Play around with the right combination of Aperol and prosecco to find your perfect Aperol spritz! Have fun with garnishes. While an orange slice is the typical garnish, other citrus slices like grapefruit or Meyer lemon work really well. Go a bit more herbal and add a rosemary sprig, or dress up the glass by floating an edible flower on top.
If you’ve tried this Aperol spritz recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
