Aperol Spritz

A proper Aperol Spritz is cold, dry and lively

An Aperol Spritz should not taste like a glass of melted orange candy. The best version is brisk and sparkling, with enough prosecco to lift Aperol’s bittersweet orange flavour and just enough soda to lengthen the drink. It is an easy aperitivo, but temperature and order matter.

The familiar 3-2-1 formula means three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part soda water. For one generous glass, that is 90 ml prosecco, 60 ml Aperol and 30 ml soda. You can scale the drink up without changing the balance.

Aperol Spritz ingredients (and what each one does)

• 90 ml / 3 oz prosecco — the base: acidity, fruit and all of the bubbles.
• 60 ml / 2 oz Aperol — bitter orange, rhubarb and the sweetness that defines the drink.
• 30 ml / 1 oz soda water — no flavour of its own; it lengthens the drink so it stays refreshing instead of syrupy.
• 1 orange slice — aroma on the nose, not sweetness in the glass.
• Ice, right to the top — keeps it cold and slows the dilution.

There is no juice, no syrup and no garnish beyond the orange. If a recipe asks for more than these five things, it is a different drink.

Aperol and prosecco: why this pair works

Aperol brings bitter orange, rhubarb and a soft sweetness, while prosecco answers with acidity, fruit and the bubbles that keep the whole thing lively. Soda water adds no flavour at all: it stretches the drink so it stays refreshing. Order matters when you build it — prosecco first, Aperol second, soda last.

Aperol Spritz recipe in ml and oz

Use this table when you want an exact Aperol Spritz recipe in ml or oz, or when you are making more than one round.

Measure the Aperol with a jigger rather than pouring by eye. A heavy hand with the Aperol is the single most common reason a homemade spritz tastes sweet and flat. If you prefer a drier drink, move to the 4-3-2 line instead of reducing the soda.

Aperol Spritz alcohol percentage: how strong is it?

Aperol has an alcohol percentage of 11% ABV and a typical Brut prosecco sits around 11% too. Mixed 3-2-1, that puts an Aperol Spritz at roughly 9% ABV — about two thirds the strength of a standard glass of wine, and noticeably lighter than a Negroni or a Martini.

In practical terms, one 180 ml serve contains around 16 ml of pure alcohol, which is just under one standard drink in most countries. A single Aperol Spritz is roughly 140-160 kcal, most of it from the sugar in the Aperol and the prosecco, so it is an aperitivo rather than a low-calorie option.

Which prosecco works best?

Choose a chilled Brut or Extra Dry prosecco with clean acidity. Despite the label, Extra Dry is slightly sweeter than Brut; use Brut if you want a sharper, less sweet spritz. There is no need to open an expensive vintage bottle, but avoid a prosecco that tastes soft or noticeably sugary on its own.

Pour the prosecco before the Aperol. This reduces the amount of stirring needed and helps preserve the bubbles. Add the soda last, then move the spoon gently from the bottom to the top once.

Can you use champagne instead of prosecco?

Yes, although the drink changes. A Brut champagne makes a drier, more yeasty spritz with finer bubbles. It can be delicious, but prosecco’s fresh fruit character is closer to the classic Italian serve. Dry cava and crémant are both good, cheaper substitutes, and for an alcohol-free version use alcohol-free prosecco or a bitter orange soda over the same full glass of ice.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

• Too little ice. Fill the glass to the top rather than dropping in a few cubes; more ice keeps the drink colder and melts more slowly.
• Warm prosecco. Chill every liquid before you start. Ice should cool the drink, not rescue a warm bottle.
• Flavoured sparkling water. Use plain, freshly opened soda water; anything else changes the finish.
• An old orange slice. Cut it just before serving so it gives aroma without turning the drink bitter.
• Reaching for simple syrup. If your spritz tastes flatly sweet, the problem is too much Aperol, not too little sugar.

For something lighter and floral, try the Hugo Spritz. If you want more bitterness and depth, the Negroni Sbagliato keeps the bubbles but moves closer to a Negroni.

Aperol Spritz variations

• Aperol Spritz with champagne — drier, yeasty and finer-bubbled; keep the same 3-2-1.
• Hugo Spritz — the lighter, elderflower-forward option for the same occasion.
• Negroni Sbagliato — the same bubbles, but with far more bitterness.
• Non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz — alcohol-free prosecco or bitter orange soda, same build and same glass.

What to serve with an Aperol Spritz

It is an aperitivo, so keep the food salty and small: olives, crisps, taralli, cured ham, salted nuts or a simple cheese board. The bitterness cuts through fried and fatty snacks, and the modest alcohol means it survives a long, slow afternoon better than a Martini would. For a longer, cleaner drink at the same moment try the Tom Collins; for the other great Italian aperitivo pairing see the Paloma; and if you want a tequila version of the same occasion, the Margarita is the one to build.

Aperol Spritz FAQ

What is the exact Aperol Spritz ratio?

Use three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part soda water. A single serve is 90 ml, 60 ml and 30 ml respectively.

Is Aperol Spritz made with prosecco or champagne?

Prosecco is the traditional choice. Champagne works, but produces a drier, more complex and more expensive drink.

Should an Aperol Spritz be stirred?

Stir it once, gently. Vigorous stirring knocks out carbonation and dilutes the drink faster.

What glass should I use?

A large wine glass is ideal because it holds plenty of ice and leaves room for the orange garnish.

Why does my Aperol Spritz taste too sweet?

Use Brut prosecco, keep the full measure of soda, and avoid reducing the ice. Do not add simple syrup.

How much alcohol is in an Aperol Spritz?

About 9% ABV when you build it 3-2-1, because both Aperol and prosecco are around 11% alcohol. A single 180 ml glass contains roughly 16 ml of pure alcohol.

How many ml is a standard Aperol Spritz?

90 ml of prosecco, 60 ml of Aperol and 30 ml of soda water, for 180 ml in total. In ounces that is 3 oz, 2 oz and 1 oz.