Aperol Spritz

Tip: Pair it with tasty olives or a subtle bowl of sea salt chips on a small patio table in your garden. Delicious as an appetizer, just like Italians enjoy it together.

Aperol Spritz: a globally renowned blend of Aperol, prosecco, and sparkling water.

Aperol Spritz is one of the most consumed aperitifs worldwide. An ideal drink with Aperol, prosecco, and sparkling water to enjoy on a sunny day on the terrace. It offers a unique flavour combination of bitterness, sweetness, and fizziness, with a low alcohol content compared to other cocktails.

The Aperol Spritz, with its vibrant orange color, is a real eye-catcher on the terraces. When someone orders it first, others quickly follow suit. The word "Aperol" is derived from the French word "apéro," which stands for aperitif. Aperol is made from a slightly bitter red-orange variety of orange from the Northern Italian region of Veneto. Aperol owes its fame almost entirely to the world-renowned combination with prosecco and sparkling water, known as Aperol Spritz (also known as Spritz Veneziano). Aperol is a light spirit (11% alcohol), making it a great match for prosecco.

A variation on this cocktail with a Dutch twist is the “Orange Royal Spritz”. You make this with Aperol, orange bitters, prosecco, and sparkling water. Fun for King’s Day!

Spritz or Spritzer

The term “spritz” likely originates from Austro-German and dates back to the time when part of Northern Italy was occupied by Austrian soldiers. It means “to squirt,” referring to the fizzy nature of the drink. In addition to Aperol Spritz, you also have the Hugo Spritz and the Limoncello Spritz, where you add prosecco and sparkling water.

Spritzig is German for sparkling. In German-speaking countries, the word “Spritzer” is also used for a fizzy drink based on wine and sparkling water.

The prosecco

It’s important to choose a high-quality Prosecco. Opt for one that is crisp and bubbly but not overly dominant, so that it blends well and maintains the right balance of taste and texture. You want the flavor of the Aperol to shine through predominantly.

Garnish: orange slice and/or olive

Opt for a classic garnish that complements the cocktail’s flavour. A simple slice of fresh orange pairs best with the taste of Aperol. Interestingly, Italians often add an olive to your drink, imparting a delightful savory and salty flavor to this classic Italian cocktail. The olive adds an intriguing balance between the bittersweet taste of Aperol and the crisp bubbles of the sparkling water. Its salty and earthy tones provide an extra layer of flavour to your drink.

Common mistakes

Mixing Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water to make an Aperol Spritz might seem fairly simple. However, there are many factors that can influence the taste and presentation of the drink.

Here are some common mistakes when making an Aperol Spritz:

• Incorrect proportions: The right proportions are important for the perfect taste. So always use a jigger to measure it. The ratio is easy to remember 3:2:1. We use 80 ml Prosecco, 40 ml Aperol, and a splash (20 ml) of sparkling water;
• No sparkling water: Not everyone knows that you make this cocktail with Aperol, Prosecco, and (!) sparkling water. Without sparkling water, I find the taste of this terrace cocktail much less refreshing. If you use Sprite or 7Up instead of neutral sparkling water, the bitter taste disappears from your drink;
• Prosecco that doesn’t fizz properly: Is the Prosecco already open and not fizzing vigorously anymore? Then I wouldn’t use it for your Aperol Spritz because you’ll end up with a weak concoction. So pour that old bottle down the drain and pop open a new bottle of Prosecco for a powerful bubble;
• Serving without ice: Serve an Aperol Spritz with ice. The ice keeps the drink cool and also adds texture to the drink. Also, make sure to chill the Prosecco and Aperol in the fridge before using them;
• Too bitter: If you use too much Aperol, you’ll end up with a bitter drink;
• Wrong glass: I once had this cocktail in a hurricane glass filled with ice and mint on the beach. Serve it in a copa glass or a nice wine glass with ice.

Can you make the Aperol Spritz alcohol-free? Absolutely!

Prefer your Spritz without alcohol? Or expecting friends who don’t drink alcohol? Then use Nona Spritz in combination with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine like ALT and sparkling water. A flavorful alternative with bitterness for this popular aperitif.

Also deliciously Italian: Limoncello Tonica

The Limoncello Tonica with limoncello, tonic, and basil is truly a delightful Italian cocktail for the terrace. We paired it with homemade bruschetta.