When I want an easy, refreshing drink, I usually reach for an Aperol Spritz. The Aperol Spritz is a simple Italian cocktail made with Aperol, prosecco, and soda water.

It’s light, a bit bitter, and that bright orange color? So inviting, honestly.

I find this cocktail is perfect for warm days, or when I want a drink that’s not too strong. I also like how it takes very little time and just a handful of ingredients to make.

If you want to mix your own Aperol Spritz at home, keep reading for the exact equipment, ingredients, and instructions.

Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe

The Aperol Spritz is a bright, refreshing drink I love to make for gatherings—or just on a lazy afternoon. It’s easy to put together with a few tools and ingredients, and it really highlights the unique taste of Aperol.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Wine glass: I use a large wine glass that holds at least 12 ounces.

Measuring jigger or small measuring cup: This helps me measure the Aperol and Prosecco accurately.
Bar spoon: I use this for gently mixing the cocktail so it stays fizzy.
Ice scoop or tongs: These make adding ice easy and clean.

Citrus knife: I use a knife to cut a fresh orange slice for garnish.
Napkin or paper towel: Handy to wipe up any drips when pouring or mixing.

Ingredients

3 ounces 90 ml Prosecco

2 ounces 60 ml Aperol
1 ounce 30 ml club soda
Ice cubes: Enough to fill a wine glass

1 orange slice: For garnish

Instructions

Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes, about three-quarters full.

Pour in 3 ounces of Prosecco.
Add 2 ounces of Aperol.

Top with 1 ounce of club soda.
Stir gently with a bar spoon two or three times to mix.
Place a fresh orange slice on the rim or in the glass as garnish.

Serve right away while it’s still cold and bubbly.

Notes

I like to pour the Prosecco first to keep the drink fizzy and less bitter. Mixing gently is key—it combines the liquids but keeps the fizz from fading.

If I want a lighter drink, I add a splash more club soda. Sometimes, I switch the garnish for a lemon twist, but orange is classic.

The Aperol Spritz is low in alcohol content. Using less Prosecco and more Aperol makes it stronger, if that’s your thing.

Chilling the glass before serving keeps the cocktail cold even longer. If the drink seems too bitter, I just add a little more Prosecco or club soda, and that usually does the trick.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

When I taste an Aperol Spritz, I notice a light orange color with hints of sparkling bubbles. The first sip brings a mix of sweet and bitter flavors.

The orange and herbal notes from Aperol are easy to taste. I also pick up a bit of tartness from the Prosecco, which makes it feel crisp.

The soda water adds a refreshing, light touch and balances the sweetness. The drink feels cool and bubbly in my mouth.

I usually notice a gentle aftertaste that fades smoothly. The orange slice garnish adds a fresh scent and just a hint more citrus flavor.

Next time I make this cocktail, I might pay even closer attention to how the ice and bubbles make it extra refreshing. Funny how the little details stand out.

Substitute

Sometimes, I just don’t have all the classic ingredients for an Aperol Spritz. It happens, right? In those moments, I reach for substitutes that keep the drink fun and honestly, still pretty tasty.

Here are a few options I’ve tried and liked:

Equipment

Measuring jigger
Mixing glass

Spoon
Wine glass

Ingredients

Aperol substitute: I’ll use Campari if I want a stronger, more bitter kick. Select Aperitivo is another option—less sweet than Aperol, but it works.
Prosecco substitute: Any dry sparkling wine does the trick. Cava or Champagne are usually what I grab if Prosecco’s missing.
Soda water substitute: Club soda or sparkling mineral water, doesn’t really matter. Either one is fine instead of plain soda water.

Garnish substitute: No oranges? Lemon or grapefruit slices have saved the day more than once.

Instructions

Pour 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts Aperol (or whatever you’re using), and 1 part soda water into a wine glass.

Add ice cubes until the glass feels nice and full.
Stir it up gently with a spoon.
Top with an orange, lemon, or grapefruit slice—whatever you’ve got.

I usually taste and adjust a bit, depending on which substitutes I ended up using. Sometimes it takes a little tinkering, but hey, that’s part of the fun.

Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe