The Aperol Spritz comes from Veneto, my region – it is very deeply rooted in our culture. In Veneto, when we use to say “let’s go for a spritz”, we simply mean “let’s meet and have a drink”. This is the Spritz culture, which is more about sharing good moments than the drink itself. So, I would like to give you some tips on how to make a classic Aperol Spritz at home to share many good moments with your loved ones.
What is Aperol Spritz? It is probably the most emblematic Italian aperitif (also known as apero), made by mixing Prosecco wine with Aperol and a splash of club soda. It is served in a red wine glass with ice and usually accompanied by some light snacks like nuts and green olives.
The Aperol Spritz recipe is based on a 3-2-1 formula – 3 parts of Prosecco, 2 parts of Aperol, and 1 part of sparkling water, served over ice and with a slice of orange. An Aperol Spritz usually starts sweet and finishes with a pleasant bitterness from the Aperol, a bitter liqueur whose main ingredients are the rhubarb and the flowers gentian and cinchona. You can modify the spritz ratio as you like: more Aperol will make it bitter, more Prosecco will make it sweeter.
For me, Aperol Spritz stands for summer and joy due to its dazzling orange color, its fizziness, and that peculiar bittersweet taste that tingles your buds. For Rob and I, Aperol Spritz marked an important moment as it was one of the drinks of choice during our wedding celebrations in the Prosecco hills. Moreover, Spritz has marked the start of our weekends and holidays over the years.
Where was the Aperol Spritz originated?
The origins of the Spritz date back to the 1800s, during the Habsburg domination of northeast Italy. The Habsburgs were not accustomed to the wines of Veneto nor to the level of alcohol. Hence, they would spray some water into the wine – that is where the name Spritz came from, the German “spritzer” means to spray.
Aperol is an aperitif create in the 1920s, but it was only in the 1950s, that it started to be included in a Spritz. The Aperol Spritz has become more and more popular since the beginning of the 21st century. In 2019 it was ranked as the 9th best-selling classic cocktail in the world.
Aperol Spritz variations
In Italy, there are a number of variations on the Spritz:
– Campari Spritz: Campari is a bitter liqueur that has a red-ish color, with a bitter, sweet, spicy flavor. Campari is made of fruits and herbs (including chinotto) that have been macerated in water and alcohol. Usually, a Campari Spritz vs and Aperol Spritz tastes sharper and less sweet.
– Cynar Spritz: Cynar is a liqueur made of several herbs, including cynarin, which is also found in artichokes. It has a bittersweet taste and a dark brown color.
– Tosolini Spritz: Amaro Tosolini is a bitter liqueur that I discovered with my dad years ago. Last Christmas, my parents brought Rob a bottle and we used it for a Spritz. The taste is smoked and bitter, due to the ash barrels in which the amaro is macerated along with Alpine herbs, aquavit, alcohol and water.
– In Sicily we had an amazing Spritz made with Amara. Amara is a liqueur made from Sicilian blood orange peel, macerated with alcohol and wild herbs.
Which is the best prosecco for Aperol spritz?
Aperol Spritz is a simple drink to prepare. So if the ingredients are simple, they should be of good quality to get the best result
Many bars make Aperol Spritz with cheap prosecco. The price points of prosecco can vary dramatically. I recommend going for a decent bottle of prosecco, something between 13-15 USD. Not only will your drink taste better, but you won’t have a headache after drinking it.
How to make the best Aperol spritz cocktail
Making an Aperol Spritz is really simple and easy. The Aperol Spritz ingredients are Prosecco, Aperol, Soda Water, Orange and Ice cubes. Take a red wine glass, place 5 ice cubes. Pour the Prosecco over, followed by the Aperol and the Soda Water. Stir it. Garnish with a slice of orange and enjoy it!
How to serve Aperol Spritz
Definitely the perfect summer drink, I recommend serving it with some nibbles to create the perfect Italian aperitif atmosphere.
You can serve it with Classic Tomato Bruschetta or Easy Italian Meatballs. It is also a great drink for an Italian Antipasto Platter.
If you want a slightly stronger drink, try Negroni Sbagliato instead.
Ingredients
- 3 fl oz Prosecco
- 2 fl oz Aperol
- 1 fl oz Soda Water
- 1 slice orange
- 5 cubes ice
Instructions
- Put the ice cubes in a large red wine glass.
- Over ice cubes, pour the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol and the sparkling water.
- Stir well and garnish with a slice of orange.
- Cin cin!
Nutrition
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