Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

Cool, colorful refreshment for hot summer days (and nights)

Need a long, tall sipper that’s not too boozy? Just conjure up an Aperol Spritz (aka Spritz Veneziano).

It’s one of the world’s most popular cocktails. And why not? The Aperol Spritz is super refreshing, with a bright, tingly flavor.

It makes an excellent aperitif. And, because it’s low on alcohol, the Aperol Spritz lets you hold off the heat all afternoon long.

Just call it the summer tamer.


The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

Recipe: The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

The Aperol Spritz combines Prosecco with Aperol liqueur, adding a splash of sparkling water to top things off. It’s easy to make – and even easier to drink.

You can actually make a “spritz” with many different combinations of wine and liqueur. In all cases, you probably want to remember the 3:2:1 ratio. That’s 3 parts wine (Prosecco in this case), 2 parts liqueur (Aperol for this drink), and 1 part sparkling water.  As easy as 3, 2, 1.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves 1.

Ingredients
  • 3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling Italian white wine
  • 2 ounces Aperol
  • 1 ounce soda or seltzer water (or a bit less if you prefer; see Notes)
  • orange wedge or wheel as garnish (optional, but recommended; see Notes)
Procedure
  1. Add ice to a large wine or rocks glass. Add all ingredients except garnish.
  2. Give the drink a quick stir to combine the ingredients. Add garnish, if desired, and serve.
The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

Notes
  • What’s Aperol? It’s an Italian liqueur with somewhat bitter flavor – sort of like a lighter version of Campari. In Italy, it’s usually served as an apéritif (often on the rocks). 
  • Prosecco is a light Italian bubbly wine named after the village of Prosecco. It’s made primarily in the Veneto area (Venice being the best-known city in the region). Prosecco bubbles usually don’t last as long as those in Champagne, and it often is a bit sweeter. 
  • What brand of Prosecco to use? There are many available, and every wine dealer seems to stock a different selection. We generally just ask our wine merchant for a recommendation.
  • How much sparkling water to use in this drink? We opt for about an ounce. In part, that’s because its bubbles keep going long after those from the Prosecco fizzle out. And also because the Aperol Spritz is meant to be a light-bodied drink. So an ounce of sparkling water – which is a bit more than a “splash,” in our estimation – strikes us as just the right amount.
  • Garnish is optional for this drink, but we recommend using it. The flavors of orange and Aperol combine very nicely. We serve the drink with garnish on the rim. Then, right before drinking it, we drop the orange wedge into the cocktail so the flavors combine.
The Aperol Spritz Cocktail

Half a Bubble Off Plumb

“Refreshing!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Air conditioning in a glass.”

“And bubbly too,” I said. “Just the sort of wine that appeals to you.”

“I do like fizz,” said Mrs K R.

“Which is why it’s rarely boring around here,” I said.

“Hey, shall we play a round of Prosecco roulette?” said Mrs K R. “I’ll just give this bottle a little shake.”

Maybe not. Sometimes boring is better.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Bicyclette Cocktail
Kir Royale Cocktail
Bellini Cocktail
Classic Champagne Cocktail
Mimosa Cocktail
Paloma Cocktail
Sherry Cobbler Cocktail
Nonalcoholic Berry Shrub
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

62 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

wow The drink looks so beautiful and refreshing. I really NEED one now.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, this is incredibly refreshing. You should definitely have one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I'd love one of these on the patio tonight! Looks super refreshing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, this is a wonderful patio drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dahn @savorthebest said...

We are having a bit of a heat wave in our area so I think I could use this summer tamer!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, this will definitely cool you off! VERY refreshing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

R's Rue said...

A classic

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, it is! And so worthy of the title. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

One of our favorites! The first time we had an Aperol Spritz, we were in Florence in a coffee shop. Sublime! Thanks for the recipe and the reminder. Need one of these straight away.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, we've seen this on drinks menus all around the world. Really a popular drink (for good reason!). Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

It looks so refreshing and beautiful.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, really refreshing! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

I'll drink to this! It sounds soothing and great for a hot day! Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, very soothing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

My husband made this for me one day about a year ago because he suspected I'd love it. He was right, and it's it's sorta "my drink." I will pass this along so he gets some good tips. :-) ~Valentina

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, definitely worth being your personal drink! So good, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

My younger daughter turned me on to these years ago. She’s way cooler than I am!!! These definitely aren’t too strong for me, but a touch too botanical. So I just add a splash of OJ.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

We do keep aperol around and Manservant really likes the bitter and refreshing taste. Me, not so much. But I do love Prosecco in the summer! We always keep a bottle around.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi OJ, OJ would be a nice addition! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, Prosecco is always so nice in the summer. This drink, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Robert Newsom said...

Had to try this after last years hoopla about it. In May of 2019, The New York Times published a piece headlined "The Aperol Spritz Is Not A Good Drink." The piece called it an "Instagram-friendly aperitif that drinks like a Capri Sun after soccer practice on a hot day - not in a good way."

NPR reporter Ailsa Chang noted that "The reaction was swift and fierce. The Internet lost its dang mind....New York Magazine defended the cocktail, saying, 'as rare as it is that something can rally all Americans to agree on a single opinion, The New York Times has done just that.'"

I just finished two of them. It is, in my view, an excellent drink.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Robert, I read that piece! And frankly scratched my head when I did -- the flavor is pretty good, I think. And its color is wonderful. Thanks for such an interesting comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

This my kind of drink, light and refreshing.I love the flavor of Aperol. Prost!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, we really enjoy drinks like this when it's hot and muggy outside. Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

so very refreshing and perfect for summer KR! love your photos as usual. we have a friend who thinks it's funny to shake up fizz before serving! eek!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, always interesting having friends with bubbly personalities. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rahul @samosastreet said...

Love this post and recipe John . Here in Al we have 90° weather, would love to have something delightful like this on a patio with a nice plate of cheese and crackers

Natalia said...

Wow, that looks so beautiful!

Ron said...

John, as always your images are brilliant and Aperol Spritz is absolutely our favorite summer refresher. Have you ever tried a Nomayo? Another favorite summer cocktail in these parts. Thanks for sharing...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rahul, this will certainly help you beat the heat! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, tasty, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron,, I have not tried the Nomayo! I need to -- it does seem like an excellent summer drink. Thanks for the comment.

The Liberty Belle said...

I usually enjoy Lillet with a slice of orange as an apertif but I think your spritz looks like a winner. Thanks for sharing.

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

Never had one but, John, as always with your drinks photos, I don't care what it tastes like, it's gorgeous, and I want one, now!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi LB, Lillet is a terrific drink! Not nearly popular enough. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, LOL! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

The "summer tamer" - I love it! What a great cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, yup! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

Bring on the Aussie summer when these drinks come into their own. Looks like just the drink on an island getaway. Love the photos. Thanks for sharing, Pauline

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pauline, you'll soon be enjoying prime weather for this drink! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eva Taylor said...

This looks and sounds wonderful! We love Prosecco too so I know I’d love this pretty libation.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, good Prosecco is good stuff! And this is a good drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

It is, as you said, super refreshing. I tend to treat the seltzer as most martini drinkers treat their vermouth. A whisper. I pretty much enjoy the prosecco/aperol as is! Mark likes the seltzer. It has been one of our favorite drinks for years - probably our "go-to" party drink.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, I'd normally be in your camp regarding seltzer (just a touch) but for this drink I'm definitely more in Mark's camp. And when it comes to making a martini, I've decided I'm more a 4:1, sometimes 5:1 kind of person. Dry vermouth and gin do play well together, so I enjoy tasting both. Took me years to come to that conclusion, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

Yes...yes...I had this cocktail when traveling in Italy...so delicious...thanks for the reminder...and refreshing...perfect for the weather...gorgeous pictures John.
Have a great weekend!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, you can make this at home and travel, virtually, to Italy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

One of my best friends is addicted to this cocktail. She got hooked on them on a trip to Italy. I can understand why. They are so sunny with that whisper of bitterness that makes them go down so easy.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, this is easy to get hooked on. Crack Spritz. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Balvinder said...

I first enjoyed this drink in Venice on my 25th anniversary, didn't know about it before. I loved it. So thank you for sharing the recipe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, isn't this a nice, refreshing beverage? So nice at this time of the year! Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

Looking at this cocktail bring summer to our cold weather here down under

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, another month or so and your cold weather will be history. And it'll be time for one of these. :-) Thanks for the comment.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I will have to give it a try! Looks so good and refreshing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judee, very refreshing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

This sounds like my type of cocktail. Sounds nice and refreshing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, really refreshing, and quite nice flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Yes, now that the Campari Group is producing and marketing Aperol, it has really taken off. Great little summer beverage. Hope you and Mrs. Kitchen Riff are doing well. Take Care

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, so nice, isn't it? :-)

Frank said...

A classic! And for good reason. Now that you've reminded me, I may have one tonight before dinner...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, yup, good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

This is definitely one of those essential summer drinks. And we most definitely need them this summer.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, definitely nice for cooling off! :-) Thanks for the comment.