The Best Aperol Spritz Recipe (& 3 Easy Variations Including the Hugo Spritz!)
When it comes to a cocktail’s staying power, not many cocktails can beat the longevity and increasing popularit of the Aperol Spritz. But what’s not to love about this bubbly, easy-to-make cocktail? Not to mention there are endless variations that make this the perfect base recipe to add your own spin to come up with your own creative concoction! (Quick Hint- we have new convenient recipe cards that you can download or print for later! Scroll to the bottom of the page to view!)
Keep in mind the recipe below is created with a commonly used ratio of Prosecco to Aperol liqueur; there are many debates amongst cocktail enthusiasts. Simply try the recipe as stated in the 3:1 ratio (three parts Proescco; one part Aperol) & tweak according.to your own liking! Here on The Boozy Mermaid, the cocktails are made to “Party Pleasing” speciifications: meaning they may be modified a bit from their ultra-classic variations to be best suited for a wide range of palates. This means middle-of-the-road when it commes to the elements of bitter/sweet/tart, and the like.
Aperol is a delightful and versatile bitter Italian aperetif/liqueur made with gentian, rhubarb and cinchona . Aperol is often best known from the “Aperol Spritz'“ cocktail. Due to it’s low-alchol-by-volume percentage (ABV), Aperol is one of my go-to’s for creating low-proof party-perfect brunch cocktails. Across Italy you will find this cocktail in bars and resturants, but there are so many delicious spins & twists you will discover! One fun element I found in Italy is the addition of olives to the garnish. The goal of a cocktail is balance- but also to be delicious and drinkable- so feel free to experiment with your own fun ingredients and garnishes! I also personally love adding a little salty addition to really get the taste buds going (saline solution is actually often a “secret” ingredient of mixologists to achieve the perfectly balanced cocktail!)
I’d love to see your own cocktail creations on social media! Check out @theboozymermaid on Instagram, Facebook & Tik Tok, and tag me with your creations #boozymermaidcocktails. Feel free to share you own recipes & tips!
Aperol Spritz
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz Aperol
Splash Soda Water
Orange Wheel
In a white wine glass filled with ice, combine Aperol, Prosecco, and splash of soda water. Garnish with orange slice. BOOZY TIP: For an added effect (both aesthetically & on the palate), add a beautiful sprig of mint to the orange slice. This will truly make it picture perfect! Experiment with different glassware & think outside the box to really give your cocktails their own “WOW” factor, both off-and-on film! The element of unexpected can often be the one thing that transforms your cocktail from “great” to “memorable” .
3 Easy Aperol Spritz Alternatives:
Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz was another Italian-born cocktail, and has been rising in popularity the last couple years in both Europe and the US. St. Germain- a very popular elderflower liqueur- was once called the “ketchup for bartenders”, and it’s been a great experience to see the liqueur in revival mode! I had the pleasure of meeting Robert J. Cooper, the founder of St. Germain, and have been excited to see the popularity of his spirit rise since he started it in 2007. Robert sadly passed away in 2016, but his spirit will live on!
.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
4 oz Prosecco
1 oz Soda Water
Lemon Wheel
Mint Sprig
In a White Wine glass filled with ice, add St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, and soda water. Finish with lemon twist and mint sprig for garnish.
Limoncello Spritz
1 oz Limoncello
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz Soda Water
Lemon Wheel
Rosemary Sprig
In a White Wine glass filled with ice, add Limoncello, Prosecco, and soda water. Finish with lemon wheel and rosemary sprig for garnish.
Sunset Spritz
1 oz Campari
1 oz Lillet Blanc
2 oz Prosecco
1 oz Soda Water
Lemon Twist
Orange Twist
In a White Wine glass filled with ice, add Campari, Lillet Blanc, Prosecco, and soda water. Finish with a lemon twist and orange twist for garnish.
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz Aperol
- Splash Soda Water
- Orange Wheel
Instructions
- In a white wine glass filled with ice, combine Aperol, Prosecco, and splash of soda water.
- Garnish with orange slice.
- BOOZY TIP: For an added effect (both aesthetically & on the palate), add a beautiful sprig of mint to the orange slice. This will truly make it picture perfect! Experiment with different glassware & think outside the box to really give your cocktails their own “WOW” factor, both off-and-on film! The element of unexpected can often be the one thing that transforms your cocktail from “great” to “memorable” .