A refreshing orange-hued Aperol Spritz Veneziano cocktail, just the way it's served in Venice, Italy.
I share a recipe to make this fun sparkling alcoholic drink, just as I was taught on our trip to Venice.
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What is Aperol Spritz Veneziano?
The Aperol Spritz Veneziano is a refreshing orange-colored drink from Italy.
It originated in Venice, hence why the name Veneziano, where it is still commonly served as the cities' signature drink.
Originally, a spritz is a quick cocktail prepared with sparkling wine and club soda, and Aperol is a vibrant bitter apéritif from Italy.
The German term Spritz originated from the Austrians, who ruled Venice at the time. Back then, the Venetians came up with a White Wine Spritz, the Aperol Spitz came much later.
Aperol is owned by the Campari Group, and they even sell Aperol Spritz in small bottles in Europe.
The drink always comes with a slice of orange, to stay its refreshing name true.
We loved that bars served the drink with olives in Venice when we visited. Since that, we have been hooked on this drink.
Traditionally, the spritz Veneziano, is served as an apéritif with typical Venetian tapas-like appetizers called Cicchetti.
Venetian food and drink is very different from the rest of Italy!
How to make it?
To make Aperol Spritz Veneziano from scratch is easy and straightforward.
You just have to take care that the thicker Aperol liqueur mixes up well with the sparkling wine and club soda.
So, here is how I do it.
Step 1
Pour the Aperol and sparkling wine at the same time into the glass.
That way, the Aperol won't sink to the bottom of the glass.
Step 2
Add ice cubes, but it's optional.
Step 3
Top it up with club soda. Add as much as you want, this is a taste preference.
Enjoy.
📖 Recipe
Aperol Spritz Veneziano Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Shots Aperol
- 2 Shots Sparkling Wine *see Notes
- Ice Cubes optional
- Carbonated Water aka club soda, to top it up, *see Notes
To garnish
- Orange slice fresh
- Olive
Instructions
- Pour aperol and sparkling wine into your glass at the same time so that both combine well. That way your aperol won't collect at the bottom of your glass.2 Shots Aperol, 2 Shots Sparkling Wine
- Add ice cubes if you like.Ice Cubes
- Top up with some club soda to your liking.Carbonated Water
- Garnish with a slice of orange and serve with an olive cold.Orange slice, Olive
Notes
- Use sparkling wine such as Prosecco. If you don't have prosecco, substitute with white wine. Theoretically, you can use champagne too, but this isn't commonly done because champagne is French, more bitter and way pricier. Prosecco is Italian and the norm. In Austria and Germany, we also use local Sekt.
- Top it with as much cold club soda as you like. I never add more than 1 shot.
Equipment
- Wine or Aperol or Lowball Glass
- Olive Toothpick
Nutrition
Garnish
Finish off your beautiful, bright cocktail with a fresh slice of orange and an olive.
The olive is an extra, but I just have to try to convince you to add an olive. It's such a game-changer!
Arrange your olives on an olive cocktail skewer. A single olive per Aperol Spritz suffices!
Appetizer Serving Ideas
The Aperol Spritz Veneziano makes a great drink during the hot summer months. We also loved seeing it being served at opening parties or soirées.
In traditional Bacaro (bars) in Venice, we saw locals have it with olive snacks and local Cicchetti.
Cicchetti are local tapas such as small sandwiches and fried bites. Some are made of sausages, seafood, or they can be stuffed with ham and cheese.
At home, we enjoy our Aperol with our favorite snack and appetizers.
Here are some appetizers serving ideas with your Aperol:
- bacon wrapped smokies
- pigs in a blanket with sesame seeds
- smoked salmon dill sour cream bites
- salami appetizers
- beef croquettes
- baked brie with jam
FAQs
To make this drink for a crowd, use the same amount of Aperol liqueur and sparkling wine. Pour in some club soda, taste, and adjust if more club soda is needed. Serve with ice cubes, oranges slices, and a plate of olives at the side. You can serve in your Aperol Spritz in a bowl or in a pitcher.
Other common Spritz beverages in Italy include Limoncello Spritz, Campari Spritz and the Negroni. Variations of the Aperol Spritz exist all over, and they are often just called Aperol Spritz without the Veneziano added to the title.
In Italy, and especially Venice, they serve the Aperol Spritz in a large wine glass. You can serve it in a tumbler too, a lowball glass, or any other type of glass.
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