Making an Elderflower Aperol Spritz is a pretty simple way to shake up the usual summer cocktail routine. This recipe brings together the floral sweetness of elderflower, the crisp, slightly bitter taste of Aperol, and a splash of sparkling wine.

I think it’s a great drink for gatherings or just hanging out at home. It looks bright and tastes light, which is a win in my book.

If you want to impress your guests or just treat yourself, this cocktail is honestly easy to make and even easier to enjoy. The ingredients aren’t hard to find, and you don’t need any fancy gadgets cluttering up the counter.

I’ll walk you through how to mix everything together, and you’ll have a bright, floral cocktail in minutes.

Elderflower Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe

This cocktail is all about blending the floral flavor of elderflower with the citrus and herbal notes of Aperol. The result? A drink that’s bright, bubbly, and just right for sharing with friends.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Large wine glass or spritz glass (12-16 oz)
Jigger or measuring cup (for accuracy)

Bar spoon or stirring stick
Ice maker or ice cube tray
Citrus zester or peeler (optional, for garnish)

Small knife (for cutting fruit, if using fresh garnishes)

Ingredients

For one cocktail, I set out:

2 oz Aperol
1 oz elderflower liqueur St-Germain works best
3 oz Prosecco chilled
1 oz soda water or sparkling water
Fresh ice cubes
Orange wheel or twist for garnish

Edible flowers or lemon slice optional garnish

Instructions

Here’s how I usually put it together:
Fill a wine or spritz glass with fresh ice cubes to the top.

Pour in 2 oz Aperol.
Add 1 oz elderflower liqueur.
Pour in 3 oz chilled Prosecco.

Add 1 oz soda water or sparkling water.
Stir gently with a bar spoon to mix without losing bubbles.
Garnish with an orange wheel, orange twist, or edible flowers.

Notes

There are a few things I keep in mind when I’m making this cocktail.

If I want it less sweet, I’ll use just 0.5 oz of elderflower liqueur. But sometimes I bump it up a little for a stronger floral vibe—just not so much that it drowns out the Aperol.

Fresh, crisp, chilled Prosecco is key. Swapping soda water for tonic water makes it sweeter and a bit more complex, which can be fun if you’re in the mood.

For a crowd, I mix the Aperol and elderflower liqueur ahead of time. Then, I top each glass with Prosecco and soda right before serving, so everything stays fresh and bubbly.

This cocktail is at its best right after mixing. If it sits too long, the ice melts and waters it down. Big ice cubes make it look good and keep it colder, longer—always worth the extra effort.

Tasting Notes

First sip of the Elderflower Aperol Spritz? It’s bright and citrusy from the Aperol, and the orange notes pair up with the prosecco bubbles in a way that just works.

Then the elderflower liqueur shows up, softening the Aperol’s bitterness with a gentle floral sweetness. Makes the drink smell amazing, too.

On the tongue, it’s crisp and refreshing. The cocktail feels light, but there’s enough flavor to keep it interesting—not too heavy or strong, just right.

Main Flavor Notes:

Citrus: Slightly bitter, with an orange edge
Floral: Subtle and sweet from elderflower

Bubbly: Light effervescence from prosecco

After a sip, there’s a mild tartness that lingers. The sweetness is there, but it never takes over the whole show.

Pairings I enjoy:

Salty snacks, like olives or chips
Fresh fruit, especially orange slices

Mild cheeses

Substitute

Sometimes I just don’t have all the ingredients for an Elderflower Aperol Spritz. When that happens, I reach for simple swaps to keep things tasting pretty close.

Possible Ingredient Substitutes:

If I’m out of elderflower liqueur, I’ll grab elderflower syrup or cordial instead.
No Aperol? I might use Campari for a punchier, bitter edge, or Contratto Aperitif if there’s some lying around.

As for sparkling wine, I’ll swap out Prosecco with any dry bubbly—Cava or even Champagne if I’m feeling fancy (or just lucky).

Equipment:

Cocktail shaker or a stirring glass—whatever’s handy
Measuring jigger
Large wine glass

Ingredients:

2 oz Aperol (or whatever substitute I’ve got)

1 oz elderflower liqueur (or a swap)
3 oz sparkling wine (or the closest thing in the fridge)
Soda water
Orange slice for garnish
Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill up a wine glass with ice cubes. Go heavy on the ice if you want it extra cold.

Pour in Aperol or whatever you’re using, then add the elderflower liqueur (or syrup, if that’s what you’ve got).
Next, add the sparkling wine—or whatever’s bubbly and dry.
Top it all off with a splash of soda water.

Give it a gentle stir. No need to overthink it.
Drop in an orange slice for that little bit of flair.

Elderflower Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe