Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 cocktail | Style: Classic Italian Prosecco spritz
Aperol Spritz with Prosecco
This Aperol Spritz with Prosecco is a bright, bubbly, bittersweet Italian cocktail made with the classic 3-2-1 ratio: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. It is built directly in the glass over plenty of ice and finished with a fresh orange slice.
The drink is simple, colorful, and easy to serve, which is why it works so well for brunches, bridal showers, summer parties, backyard events, cocktail hours, and warm-weather hosting. The key is keeping the Prosecco cold, using enough ice, and adding the soda water last so the spritz stays crisp and bubbly.
How to Make an Aperol Spritz with Prosecco
Watch this Aperol Spritz come together with Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, ice, and a fresh orange garnish. It is the classic 3-2-1 spritz build and one of the easiest cocktails to make for brunch, summer parties, and cocktail hours.
Bartender tip: build the spritz in the glass and stir gently. Shaking or over-stirring will flatten the bubbles.
Aperol Spritz video by Bartend Long Island
What Is an Aperol Spritz?
An Aperol Spritz is an Italian cocktail made with Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, ice, and an orange slice. The classic ratio is 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water.
An Aperol Spritz with Prosecco tastes bright, bubbly, lightly bitter, and citrusy. Aperol brings the bittersweet orange flavor, Prosecco adds bubbles and dryness, and soda water keeps the drink light and refreshing.
Bright, Bubbly, and Built for Warm Weather
The Aperol Spritz is one of the easiest drinks to serve because it does not need a shaker. Build it directly in a large wine glass over ice, add the ingredients in the right order, stir gently, and garnish with orange.
For events, it works especially well because it is colorful, recognizable, and lower in alcohol than many shaken cocktails. It is a strong fit for brunch, showers, cocktail hours, and outdoor summer parties.
🍊 Aperol Spritz Ingredients
A classic Aperol Spritz with Prosecco uses five simple ingredients: Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, ice, and orange.
- 3 oz Prosecco, well chilled
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz soda water or club soda, chilled
- Ice
- Orange slice, for garnish
Best Prosecco: use dry Prosecco or extra-dry Prosecco. Aperol already has sweetness, so a dry sparkling wine keeps the cocktail crisp and balanced.
🥂 The Classic 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz Ratio
The classic Aperol Spritz ratio is 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. For one cocktail, that usually means 3 oz Prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, and 1 oz soda water.
Classic
3 : 2 : 1
Prosecco : Aperol : soda water. Bright, balanced, and traditional.
Drier Spritz
4 : 2 : 1
More Prosecco for a lighter, drier finish.
Lighter ABV
2 : 1.5 : 2
More soda water for a lighter daytime spritz.
More Bitter
3 : 2.5 : 1
A little more Aperol for a stronger bittersweet orange flavor.
🍸 How to Make an Aperol Spritz
- Fill the glass with ice: Use a large wine glass or balloon glass and fill it generously with fresh ice.
- Add Prosecco: Pour in 3 oz chilled Prosecco first to help control foaming.
- Add Aperol: Pour in 2 oz Aperol and let it drift through the Prosecco.
- Top with soda: Add 1 oz chilled soda water or club soda.
- Stir and garnish: Give one gentle stir, garnish with an orange slice, and serve right away.
🥂 Bartender Tips for the Best Aperol Spritz
Do not shake it
A spritz should be built in the glass. Shaking will flatten the Prosecco and soda.
Use plenty of ice
More ice keeps the drink colder and slows dilution. A half-filled glass melts faster.
Add soda last
Soda water should go in at the end so the cocktail stays crisp and lively.
Keep Prosecco cold
Warm Prosecco loses bubbles quickly. Chill the bottle well before building the drink.
🥃 Best Glass for an Aperol Spritz
A large wine glass or balloon glass works best for an Aperol Spritz because it gives the ice, bubbles, and orange garnish enough room. The drink should feel open, bright, and refreshing.
For parties, stemless wine glasses or clear plastic wine-style cups can also work well, especially for backyard events, pool parties, and outdoor service.
✨ Aperol Spritz Variations
Drier Aperol Spritz
Use a little more Prosecco and a little more soda water for a lighter, less sweet spritz.
Campari Spritz
Swap Aperol for Campari for a deeper red color and a more bitter flavor.
Limoncello Aperol Spritz
Add a small splash of limoncello for a brighter citrus variation.
Low-ABV Aperol Spritz
Use less Aperol and Prosecco, then increase soda water for a lighter daytime drink.
Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz Style Drink
Use a non-alcoholic bitter orange aperitif, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, soda water, ice, and orange.
🍾 How to Batch Aperol Spritzes for a Party
Aperol Spritzes can be partially batched for a party, but Prosecco and soda water should stay cold and bubbly until service. For the best result, keep everything chilled and build each drink over ice.
Batch for 8 drinks
- 24 oz Prosecco, chilled
- 16 oz Aperol
- 8 oz soda water or club soda, added during service
- Ice
- Orange slices for garnish
Pre-chill the Aperol and Prosecco. To serve, fill each glass with ice, add Prosecco and Aperol, top with soda water, stir gently, and garnish with orange.
Batch planning for 20 drinks
- 60 oz Prosecco, about 2.5 bottles, round up to 3 bottles
- 40 oz Aperol, about 1.6 bottles of 750 ml Aperol
- 20 oz soda water or club soda
- Ice for serving
- 20 orange slices
Party tip: avoid mixing everything too far ahead. Prosecco and soda lose carbonation, so the best event-service method is to chill the bottles and build each Aperol Spritz fresh over ice.
🎉 When to Serve an Aperol Spritz
An Aperol Spritz is ideal for brunches, bridal showers, garden parties, pool parties, cocktail hours, summer weddings, backyard dinners, and any warm-weather event where you want something colorful and refreshing.
It is also a strong event menu option because it is lower in alcohol than many spirit-forward cocktails, easy to recognize, and simple to build quickly at the bar.
🍽️ What to Serve with an Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritzes pair well with salty snacks, charcuterie, olives, bruschetta, flatbreads, seafood, grilled chicken, citrus salads, light pasta, and passed appetizers.
The bittersweet orange flavor works especially well with salty and savory foods, which is why the drink is so popular during aperitivo-style service.
❓ Aperol Spritz FAQs
What is in an Aperol Spritz?
An Aperol Spritz is made with Prosecco, Aperol, soda water, ice, and an orange slice.
What Prosecco is best for an Aperol Spritz?
Dry Prosecco or extra-dry Prosecco works best because Aperol already brings sweetness. A dry sparkling wine keeps the spritz crisp and balanced.
What is the Aperol Spritz ratio?
The classic Aperol Spritz ratio is 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water.
Do you put Prosecco or Aperol first?
Many bartenders add Prosecco first, then Aperol, then soda water. This helps reduce foaming and keeps the drink bubbly.
Is an Aperol Spritz sweet or bitter?
An Aperol Spritz is both lightly sweet and bittersweet. Aperol brings orange, herbal, and bitter notes, while Prosecco and soda water keep the drink bright and refreshing.
Can I make an Aperol Spritz without Prosecco?
Yes. You can use another dry sparkling wine, cava, or sparkling rosé. Prosecco is the classic choice, but any dry bubbly wine can work.
Can I batch Aperol Spritzes for a party?
Yes, but it is best to build them close to service. Keep the Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water chilled, then pour each drink over ice and garnish with orange.
Can Bartend Long Island serve Aperol Spritzes at private events?
Yes. Bartend Long Island can include Aperol Spritzes as part of a custom cocktail menu for private events across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, the Hamptons, and NYC.
Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water, built over ice in a large wine glass and garnished with an orange slice. The classic ratio is 3–2–1.
Three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, one part soda water. Add Prosecco first, Aperol second, and top with soda for the best bubbles.
It’s relatively low-ABV (about 8–10% depending on pour and soda). That’s why it’s a favorite for daytime and brunch.
Aperol is an Italian apéritif (amaro) at 11% ABV with bittersweet orange, rhubarb, and herbal notes.
Yes, Champagne makes it drier and pricier. Prosecco is traditional and keeps the fruity, easygoing profile
