Aperol Spritz Recipe (3-2-1)

The Aperol Spritz is the drink of Italian aperitivo hour: bright orange, gently bitter, and refreshingly low in alcohol. Born in the Veneto region and now an IBA official cocktail, it pairs the bittersweet orange-and-rhubarb flavor of Aperol with dry sparkling prosecco and a splash of soda water. The beauty is in its simplicity, there is no shaking, no straining, and no special gear. Memorize the 3-2-1 ratio and you can build a perfect spritz in about a minute, any time the sun is out.

How to build it: fill a large wine glass with ice first, then pour the prosecco before the Aperol, adding the wine first helps preserve the bubbles instead of knocking them flat. Finish with a short pour of soda water for lift, stir once, and garnish with an orange slice. Serve it right away while it is ice-cold, a spritz is meant to be sipped fresh, not built ahead.

• Use plenty of ice. A full glass keeps the drink cold and dilutes slowly, so it stays crisp instead of watery.
• Chill everything first. Cold prosecco and Aperol froth less and taste sharper and cleaner.
• Pour the prosecco before the Aperol to protect the bubbles.
• Choose a dry (Brut or Extra Dry) prosecco to balance Aperol's sweetness.
• A large white-wine glass is traditional. Garnish with a fresh orange slice, and add a green olive Venetian-style if you like.

A quick note on enjoying responsibly: while an Aperol Spritz is lighter than most cocktails at roughly 8 to 9 percent ABV, it still contains alcohol. Pace yourself, keep water nearby, and never drink and drive. You must be 21 or older to drink in the US.

What is the 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz ratio?

It is 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. For one drink that works out to 3 oz prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, and 1 oz soda, built over ice in a wine glass.

What wine goes in an Aperol Spritz?

Traditionally a dry Italian prosecco. Choose Brut or Extra Dry so the wine stays crisp against Aperol's sweetness. Any other dry sparkling wine, such as cava, works in a pinch.

Is an Aperol Spritz strong?

No, it is one of the lighter cocktails. Aperol is only about 11 percent ABV, and once mixed with prosecco and soda the finished drink lands around 8 to 9 percent, making it a classic low-proof aperitif.

Can I make it without soda water?

Yes, but the soda adds lift and a lighter mouthfeel. Skip it and the drink becomes richer and more concentrated. If you leave it out, add a little extra ice to keep it refreshing.

What is the traditional garnish?

A slice or wheel of fresh orange. In Venice you will sometimes see a single green olive added on the side for a savory contrast.