The Aperol Spritz Recipe - The Quintessential Italian Cocktail

Over The Past Few Years, The Aperol Spritz Cocktail Has Really Been Gaining In Popularity.

Not only is it a gorgeous-looking drink (doesn’t it just scream relaxation?), but it’s also super-delicious. Just the right mix of bubbly, bitter, and sweet. And because of the lower alcohol content of Aperol (11% ABV), it is the perfect pre-dinner cocktail for your next evening out.

The Vibrant History and Flavor of Aperol Since 1919

While this drink appears to be trending, don’t be fooled. The aperitif Aperol is nothing new, having withstood the test of time since it’s inception in 1919, in the Veneto region of Italy. This botanical liqueur is most recognizable because of its vibrant, orange hue. And the distinctive bittersweet taste comes from a combination of fruits (most notably citrus), herbs, roots, and even a hint of vanilla. A perfect blend of gorgeous heaven, in my book.

What exactly is an aperitif?

By definition, an aperitif is a light alcoholic drink that is served before a meal to stimulate your appetite. It is typically more “dry” than “sweet” and the word comes from the Latin word aperire, “to open”. An Aperol Spritz is the quintessential aperitif (aperitivo in Italian) as it eases your spirits and stimulates your appetite to prepare your palate for the meal ahead. If you are ordering one during happy hour in Italy, it will likely be served with a mix of finger foods like potato chips, nuts, or olives.

What’s the difference between an Aperol Spritz and a Campari Spritz?

While the Aperol Spritz is currently having a “moment,” there are many different spritzes you can try and compare. The closest cousin to the Aperol Spritz is the Campari Spritz. While the recipe for the Campari Spritz just replaces the alcohol Campari for the Aperol (all other ingredients remain the same), the resulting drink is significantly more bitter, with hints of cherry, cinnamon, clove, and orange. Additionally, the Campari Spritz is twice as strong in alcohol content.

If you enjoy a more bitter taste, you may prefer a Campari Spritz. But if you prefer a lighter and sweeter taste, an Aperol Spritz may be your favorite. So, while they are interchangeable in the following recipe, you might find mixed results if exchanging them in other recipes like a Negroni or other drinks that use Campari, such as an Americano. But if you only have Aperol in your home bar, I say you give it a try! Maybe your inner mixologist will invent the next “hot” cocktail!

Our Aperol Spritz Drawing Is Perfect For Your Cocktail Wall Art Collection!

At ModDayArt.com, our Aperol Spritz cocktail art print is a customer favorite—and it’s easy to see why. This piece features a beautifully hand-drawn illustration of the iconic cocktail along with its simple recipe, so you can easily recreate this vibrant drink at home. Hang it as bar cart wall art or mix and match it with our other cocktail prints for a stylish cocktail art installation. With this alcohol poster, you not only add a splash of color to your space but also have a quick recipe reference whenever the mood strikes!
(Psst… Want to watch our artist, Michael, bring this cocktail wall art to life? Check out the Aperol Spritz Cocktail wall art detail page!)

The Aperol Spritz In The Wild

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On our Italian hiking adventure in 2024 we made it our mission to try an Aperol Spritz all throughout the country (such a hard mission, I know!). I would say that we found a few varieties of this colorful drink from place to place.

When we were in medieval town Gubbio, one of the bartenders that we spoke with shared that she makes the cocktail with a slightly different ratio of ingredients. She said that HER “official” recipe was 2 parts Prosecco (not 3), 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part club soda. But she had found that the guests at her B&B liked it better when she actually made it with 2 parts Prosecco, ONE part Aperol, and 1 part club soda. So, that makes me think that our recipe of a 3-2-1 ratio is on the right track!

Oh and by the way, that B&B was hosting a yoga retreat and all those yogis were giving the thumbs up to the bartender’s recipe — I would say that the yogis know a thing about “relaxation”!!

 When we were at the beach town of Sperlonga, I ordered an Aperol Spritz and this time, instead of a cute straw it came with a long piece of dried hollow pasta — GENIUS!!! I don’t think we would get that anywhere else on the planet except for Italy. They sure do adore their pasta.

 When we were at the beach town of Sperlonga, I ordered an Aperol Spritz and this time, instead of a cute straw it came with a long piece of dried hollow pasta — GENIUS!!! I don’t think we would get that anywhere else on the planet except for Italy. They sure do adore their pasta.

Conclusion

The Aperol Spritz may be in its hay-day but my guess is it’s here to stay. It is the perfect combination of bitter and sweet, refreshing and light. The perfect pre-dinner cocktail on a warm summer day! I’m heading off to make one now — CHEERS!

'Illustrated Mixology' Cocktail Cards for Bar Cart Decor

12.95 USD

15.95 USD

Oh, and don’t forget! The Aperol Spritz Cocktail art and recipe are also in our Illustrated Mixology book, along with all our other illustrated cocktails. It’s the perfect little gift (or Christmas stocking stuffer) for you or your mixologist friends!