Glowing orange in a big wine glass, loaded with ice and a fat slice of orange, this is the sound of clinking glasses on a Venetian square at sunset. Bittersweet, lightly fizzy and low in alcohol, it is built for the hour before dinner.
4.2Editors’ rating
Taste4.2
Balance4.1
Easy to make4.9
Popularity98
Reader rating: No reader ratings yet. Be the first.
Add the Aperol, which will mix itself as it sinks.
Finish with a splash of cold soda water.
Stir once gently and garnish with an orange slice.
Link copied
Watch it made
Aperol Spritz
Taste
Bittersweet orange and rhubarb from the Aperol, dry fruit and fine bubbles from the prosecco, and a clean, lightly bitter finish. Refreshing and low in alcohol.
History and origin
The spritz tradition goes back to the 19th century, when the Veneto was part of the Austrian Empire. Austrian soldiers and visitors are said to have diluted the strong local wines with a "spritz" of water, and over time the habit turned into a drink of wine, soda and a bitter liqueur.
Aperol itself was launched in Padua in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers, a bright orange aperitif with a lower alcohol content than Campari. Recipes combining it with sparkling wine and soda became popular in the Veneto after the Second World War. The Aperol Spritz went global in the 2000s, driven by heavy marketing after the Campari group acquired the brand in 2003. The IBA lists it as the "Spritz" in its New Era category.
Bartender tips
Pour the prosecco before the Aperol so the liqueur does not settle at the bottom of the glass.
Fill the glass with ice to the top: more ice melts more slowly and keeps the drink crisp.
Use a dry (brut) prosecco; extra dry versions are actually sweeter and make the drink cloying.
Variations
Campari Spritz
The same build with Campari for a more bitter, deeper red drink.
Select Spritz
The Venetian favourite with Select aperitivo, traditionally garnished with a green olive.
The IBA uses 90 ml prosecco, 60 ml Aperol and a splash of soda. Many bars follow the easy "3, 2, 1" rule: 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda.
How strong is an Aperol Spritz?
Around 8 to 10% ABV, lighter than a glass of wine because of the ice and soda.
Can I use champagne instead of prosecco?
Yes, but prosecco's fruity, soft profile is traditional and pairs better with Aperol.
