Aperol Spritz — Aperol Spritz is three ingredients and an Italian sunset

The Aperol Spritz is three ingredients and an Italian sunset — there’s no room to hide.

Ingredients

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol for that bitter orange complexity
• 1 oz soda water to lighten it up without killing the flavor
• 1 orange wheel
• Garnish: an orange wheel

Method

Start with your wine glass and fill it with ice. Add the Aperol first — it’s the heaviest liquid so it’ll settle at the bottom and create that beautiful gradient. Pour in the Prosecco next, letting it mix naturally as it hits the Aperol. Top with soda water, but pour it gently. You’re not trying to create a foam party, just adding a little lift and length. Give it one gentle stir to marry the flavors, but don’t overdo it — you want to keep those bubbles alive.

Serve

Serve it in a large wine glass with plenty of ice. Garnish with an orange wheel, not a twist — you want that full citrus aromatics hitting your nose as you drink.

Pro Tip

The key is using good Prosecco, not the cheapest bottle on the shelf. This drink is only as good as its parts, and since Prosecco makes up half the cocktail, it shows. A decent bottle doesn’t have to break the bank, but avoid anything that tastes harsh or overly sweet on its own. The Aperol brings enough sweetness to the party — your Prosecco should be crisp and clean.