A refreshing orange-hued Aperol spritz, just the way it's served in Italy.
I share a recipe to make this fun cocktail drink at home asap!


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📕 What is Aperol Spritz?
Aperol Spritz is a refreshing orange-colored drink from Italy.
It originated in Venice, where it is still commonly served as the cities signature drink.
A spritz is a quick cocktail prepared with sparkling wine and club soda and Aperol is a slightly sweetened orange shaded liqueur from Italy.
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, as it is also known, is served as an aperitif with typical Venetian tapas-like appetizers called Cicchetti.
🔪 How to make Aperol Spritz?
To make Aperol spritz 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. I pour the Aperol and sparkling wine at the same time into the glass.
That way the Aperol won't sink down to the bottom of the glass.
Then you just need to top it up with club soda. Add as much as you want, this is a taste preference.
Then you are just left to garnish your beautiful bright cocktail with a fresh slice of orange and an olive.
The olive is kind of an extra but I just have to try to convince you to make it with the olive. It's such a game-changer!
I saw some places in Italy serving it with ice cubes, in Venice they never served the Aperol spritz with ice cubes. The choice is up to you.
💡 Appetizer Serving Ideas
The Aperol Spritz makes a great drink during the hot summer months.
We also loved seeing it being served at opening parties or soirees.
In traditional Bacari (bars) in Venice, we saw locals have it with a bunch of olives and local Cicchetti.
Ciccetti 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 appetizer serving ideas with your Aperol:
- bacon wrapped smokies
- pigs in a blanket
- smoked salmon dill sour cream bites
- salami appetizers
- beef croquettes
- baked brie with jam
- devil eggs
- metball appetizers
💭 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.
Other common Spritz beverages in Italy include Limoncello Spritz, Campari Spritz and the Negroni.
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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📖 Recipe
Aperol Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 shots Aperol
- 2 shots Sparkling Wine *see Notes
- Carbonated Water to top it up, *see Notes
To garnish
- Orange slice fresh
- Olive
- Ice Cubes optional
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.
- Top up with some club soda to your liking.
- Add ice cubes if you like.
- Garnish with a slice of orange and serve with an olive cold.
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 more bitter and way more expensive.
- Top it with as much cold club soda as you like. I personally never add more than 1 shot.
Equipment
- Wine or Aperol or Lowball Glass
- Olive Toothpick
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