10 Best Aperol Spritz Recipe Variations to Elevate Your Summer Cocktail Game

Classic Aperol Spritz

The Classic Aperol Spritz is a refreshing Italian aperitif that’s perfect for any occasion. This iconic cocktail combines the bitter-sweet taste of Aperol with the effervescence of Prosecco and soda water.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz (90ml) Prosecco
• 2 oz (60ml) Aperol
• 1 oz (30ml) Soda water
• 1 orange slice for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a large wine glass or balloon glass with ice cubes.
2. Add Aperol: Pour 2 oz of Aperol into the glass over the ice.
3. Add Prosecco: Slowly pour 3 oz of chilled Prosecco into the glass.
4. Top with soda water: Add 1 oz of soda water to create a light, refreshing finish.
5. Gentle stir: Give the cocktail a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
6. Garnish: Add a fresh orange slice as garnish, gently squeezing it to release the citrus oils.
7. Serve immediately: Enjoy your Classic Aperol Spritz while it’s cold and bubbly.

Tips:

• Use a large wine glass or balloon glass for the best presentation
• Ensure all ingredients are well-chilled before mixing
• The traditional ratio is 3:2:1 (Prosecco:Aperol:Soda water)
• Serve during aperitivo hour (typically 5-7 PM) for the authentic Italian experience

Aperol Spritz with Blood Orange

This seasonal twist on the classic Aperol Spritz features fresh blood orange juice and garnish, adding deeper citrus flavor and beautiful color to this popular Italian cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz fresh blood orange juice
• 1 oz soda water
• Blood orange slice for garnish
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint sprig (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Add Aperol: Pour 2 oz of Aperol over the ice.
3. Add blood orange juice: Squeeze fresh blood orange juice and add 1 oz to the glass.
4. Top with Prosecco: Gently pour 3 oz of chilled Prosecco to maintain the bubbles.
5. Add soda water: Top with 1 oz of soda water for extra fizz.
6. Stir gently: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients.
7. Garnish: Add a blood orange slice and optional fresh mint sprig.
8. Serve immediately: Enjoy this beautiful seasonal cocktail while it’s fresh and bubbly.

Tips: Use fresh blood orange juice for the best flavor and color. The drink should have a beautiful deep orange-red hue from the blood orange. Serve in a chilled glass for optimal taste.

Aperol Spritz with Grapefruit

This sophisticated twist on the classic Aperol Spritz substitutes grapefruit for orange, creating a more tart and refreshing cocktail perfect for those who prefer less sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Aperol
• 4 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 1 oz club soda
• 2-3 fresh grapefruit slices
• Ice cubes
• 1 grapefruit wedge for garnish
• Fresh mint sprig (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Add Aperol: Pour 3 oz of Aperol over the ice.
3. Add grapefruit: Gently muddle 2-3 fresh grapefruit slices in the glass to release their oils and juice.
4. Pour Prosecco: Slowly add 4 oz of chilled Prosecco to maintain the bubbles.
5. Top with soda: Add 1 oz of club soda for extra effervescence.
6. Stir gently: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients.
7. Garnish: Add a fresh grapefruit wedge and a sprig of mint if desired.
8. Serve immediately: Enjoy your refreshing Aperol Spritz with Grapefruit while it’s still chilled and bubbly.

Tips:

• Use pink grapefruit for a more colorful and slightly sweeter variation
• Chill all ingredients beforehand for the best taste
• Adjust the grapefruit quantity to your taste preference
• Serve in a large wine glass to allow the aromas to develop

Aperol Spritz with Elderflower

This elegant twist on the classic Aperol Spritz incorporates elderflower liqueur to create a sophisticated cocktail perfect for upscale gatherings and summer entertaining.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain) or elderflower cordial
• 1 oz Soda water
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice for garnish
• Fresh elderflower sprig (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass or large balloon glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the Aperol to the glass first, creating the base layer.
3. Pour in the elderflower liqueur, allowing it to mix gently with the Aperol.
4. Slowly add the chilled Prosecco, pouring gently to maintain the bubbles.
5. Top with a splash of soda water for extra effervescence.
6. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine all ingredients.
7. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and an elderflower sprig if available.
8. Serve immediately while chilled and bubbly.

Serving Tips:

• Best served in a wine glass or large balloon glass to appreciate the aromatic floral notes
• Chill all ingredients beforehand for optimal taste
• Perfect for summer garden parties, brunch, or upscale cocktail events
• The elderflower adds a delicate floral complexity to the traditional bitter-sweet flavor profile

Aperol Spritz with Strawberry

This refreshing summer cocktail combines the classic Italian Aperol Spritz with fresh strawberries for a fruity twist that’s perfect for outdoor gatherings and social media worthy photos.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz club soda
• 3-4 fresh strawberries
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the strawberries: Wash and hull 3-4 fresh strawberries. Reserve one for garnish and muddle the rest in the bottom of a wine glass or large rocks glass.
2. Add ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes, leaving room for the liquids.
3. Pour Aperol: Add 2 oz of Aperol to the glass over the muddled strawberries and ice.
4. Add Prosecco: Slowly pour 3 oz of chilled Prosecco into the glass.
5. Top with soda: Add 1 oz of club soda for effervescence.
6. Stir gently: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
7. Garnish: Add an orange slice and the reserved strawberry to the rim of the glass. Add a sprig of fresh mint if desired.
8. Serve: Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy this colorful, Instagram-worthy cocktail!

Pro Tips: Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor. Chill your Prosecco beforehand for optimal taste. The drink is best enjoyed fresh to maintain the bubbles.

Aperol Spritz with Cucumber

This refreshing cucumber-infused Aperol Spritz is perfect for hot summer days and wellness gatherings. The muddled cucumber adds a spa-like cooling effect to the classic Italian aperitif.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Club soda
• 3-4 slices of fresh cucumber
• Ice cubes
• 1 orange slice (for garnish)
• Fresh cucumber ribbon (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cucumber: Wash and slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Reserve one slice for garnish and use a vegetable peeler to create a cucumber ribbon.
2. Muddle the cucumber: In a wine glass, gently muddle 2-3 cucumber slices to release their refreshing juices. Be careful not to over-muddle as this can make the drink bitter.
3. Add ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes, leaving room for the liquid ingredients.
4. Pour the Aperol: Add 2 oz of Aperol over the ice and muddled cucumber.
5. Add Prosecco: Slowly pour 3 oz of chilled Prosecco to maintain the bubbles.
6. Top with soda: Add 1 oz of club soda for extra effervescence.
7. Gently stir: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
8. Garnish: Add an orange slice and the cucumber ribbon to the rim of the glass.
9. Serve immediately: Enjoy this refreshing spa-like cocktail while it’s perfectly chilled.

Tip: For an extra cooling effect, chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before preparing the drink.

Aperol Spritz with Peach

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Aperol
• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 1 oz fresh peach puree (or 0.5 oz peach liqueur)
• 1 oz soda water
• 1 fresh peach, sliced
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish
• Orange wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the peach puree: If using fresh peach, peel and pit one ripe peach, then blend until smooth. Strain if desired for a smoother texture.
2. Fill the glass: Add plenty of ice cubes to a large wine glass or balloon glass.
3. Add Aperol: Pour 3 oz of Aperol over the ice.
4. Add peach element: Add 1 oz of fresh peach puree or 0.5 oz peach liqueur to the glass.
5. Add Prosecco: Gently pour 3 oz of chilled Prosecco to maintain the bubbles.
6. Top with soda: Add 1 oz of soda water for extra fizz.
7. Stir gently: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
8. Garnish: Add fresh peach slices, an orange wheel, and a sprig of fresh mint.
9. Serve immediately: Present with a straw and enjoy this refreshing summer cocktail.

Tips: For best results, use ripe, sweet peaches and serve immediately while the Prosecco is still bubbly. The drink should have a beautiful peachy-orange color and a sweet, aromatic flavor profile.

Aperol Spritz with Rosemary

This sophisticated twist on the classic Aperol Spritz incorporates fresh rosemary for an herbaceous, aromatic experience that will delight cocktail enthusiasts.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Soda water
• 2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1 orange slice
• Ice cubes
• Optional: 1 additional rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Infuse with rosemary: Gently muddle 1-2 rosemary sprigs in the bottom of the glass to release their aromatic oils. Be careful not to over-muddle as this can make the drink bitter.
3. Add Aperol: Pour the Aperol over the ice and muddled rosemary.
4. Add Prosecco: Slowly pour the chilled Prosecco to preserve the bubbles.
5. Top with soda: Add a splash of soda water for extra effervescence.
6. Garnish: Add an orange slice and a fresh rosemary sprig as garnish. Gently slap the rosemary sprig between your hands before adding to release more aroma.
7. Serve: Stir gently once and serve immediately with a straw or stirrer.

Tips:

• Use fresh rosemary for the best flavor – dried rosemary won’t provide the same aromatic impact
• Chill your Prosecco and glass beforehand for the best results
• The ratio can be adjusted to taste – add more Aperol for a more bitter profile or more Prosecco for a lighter drink

Aperol Spritz with Lime

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz club soda
• Ice cubes
• Lime wheel or wedge for garnish
• Fresh mint sprig (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a wine glass or large tumbler with ice cubes.
2. Add Aperol: Pour the Aperol over the ice.
3. Add lime juice: Squeeze fresh lime juice into the glass, ensuring you get that zesty citrus flavor.
4. Top with Prosecco: Gently pour the chilled Prosecco to maintain the bubbles.
5. Add club soda: Top off with club soda for extra effervescence.
6. Stir gently: Give the drink a gentle stir to combine all ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
7. Garnish: Add a lime wheel or wedge to the rim of the glass. For extra tropical flair, add a sprig of fresh mint.
8. Serve immediately: Enjoy this refreshing tropical variation while it’s cold and bubbly.

Tips:

• Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor profile
• Chill all ingredients beforehand for optimal refreshment
• Adjust lime juice to taste – some prefer more tartness
• Perfect for hot summer days and tropical-themed gatherings

Aperol Spritz with Mint

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco (chilled)
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz fresh soda water
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• 1 orange slice
• Ice cubes
• Additional mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass: Fill a large wine glass or balloon glass with ice cubes.
2. Muddle the mint: Gently muddle 6-8 mint leaves in the bottom of the glass to release their oils. Be careful not to over-muddle as this can make the drink bitter.
3. Add Aperol: Pour the Aperol over the muddled mint and ice.
4. Add Prosecco: Slowly pour the chilled Prosecco to preserve the bubbles.
5. Top with soda: Add a splash of fresh soda water for extra effervescence.
6. Garnish: Add an orange slice and a fresh mint sprig. Gently stir to combine all ingredients.
7. Serve: Serve immediately with a straw or bar spoon for stirring.

Tips:

• Use high-quality Prosecco for the best flavor
• Chill all ingredients beforehand for optimal refreshment
• Don’t over-muddle the mint to avoid bitterness
• Serve in a large glass to accommodate all the ice and garnishes

From the timeless elegance of the classic version to innovative combinations featuring elderflower, strawberry, and fresh herbs, these aperol spritz recipe variations offer something for every palate and occasion. Each recipe brings its own personality while maintaining the signature charm that makes Aperol Spritz so beloved. So grab your favorite glass, stock up on Prosecco, and embark on a delicious journey through these creative interpretations. Your next perfect aperol spritz recipe is just a mix away – cheers to discovering your new favorite summer cocktail!