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.
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.